Bio - Mayor Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr.

Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr. is the 39th mayor of Tulsa. He was born on March 16, 1947 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and from an early age his parents instilled in him the value of hard work and serving his community.

Bartlett is a graduate of Bishop Kelley High School and received a B.S. in accounting from Regis University and an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University (SMU). After graduating from SMU, he worked in the oil fields and spent two years as a landman with Beard Oil Company. In 1979, he earned his place as landman and co-managing partner at the family owned Keener Oil Company and became managing partner in 1987. Bartlett has served as president of Tulsa-based Keener Oil & Gas Company since 1994.

His civic service includes serving as a former Tulsa City Councilor from 1990 to 1994. He also served as a former chairman of the American Red Cross, Tulsa Chapter, the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board, the Tulsa Airport Authority Board of Trustees, and Mayor Taylor's Complete Our Streets committee to recommend a plan for fixing Tulsa's streets.

Mayor Bartlett took the reins in city government during a time of financial crisis resulting from the national recession. He and his administration made tough decisions and the cost reductions began to pay off in fiscal year 2011. 

Among his accomplishments since taking office on December 7, 2009:

  • Presented a balanced bare-bones budget to the Council during an unprecedented financial crisis, reducing costs to match a forecasted reduction in revenues
  • Launched the largest strategic business review (performed by KPMG) of City operations to find cost-savings and efficiencies
  • Commissioned the first comprehensive energy plan to save energy costs and sustain public facilities
  • Prioritized the passage of three abatement ordinance changes to strengthen the City's ability to clean up neglected and dilapidated abandoned properties
  • A first-of-a-kind citywide citizen survey to find out what Tulsans think our vision should be
  • Initiated the municipal collection of sales and use taxes hiring a private firm, approved by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, to audit local business for payment compliance.
  • Listened to the needs of business owners through a series of small business forums and developed the Development Services Coordinator to act as a liaison between businesses and government offices and the developing community and neighborhoods.
  • Explored innovative financing options for city government while serving on the Municipal Finance Task Force, which issued 13 recommendations for the 2011 legislative session to provide cities with fiscal options, flexibility, and opportunities to stabilize finances
  • Proceeding with Arkansas River land development - a Request for Proposals was issued to develop approximately 100 acres on the west bank of the river
  • Implementing PLANiTULSA - hiring a Director of Planning to oversee strategies and recommendations are implemented for the City's comprehensive plan, as well as updating the zoning code
  • Created the City County Collaborative Advisory Committee - this committee will begin the exploration of partnerships and joint ventures

Dewey Bartlett has a heart and vision for Tulsa and is dedicated to improving life for all Tulsans. Together, he and his wife, Victoria, have three children - Dewey F. Bartlett III, Ann A. Bennett, and Andrea Petersen.