Bartlesville City Manager Mike Bailey has been named the recipient of the 2024 Gerald Wilkins Award by the City Managers Association of Oklahoma.
Bailey is the 36th recipient of the annual award, which honors the late Gerald Wilkins, former Oklahoma Municipal League president, longtime city manager and municipal advisor to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The award, named in his memory, recognizes “the most outstanding city manager in Oklahoma.”
“Our city manager, Mike Bailey, was recognized early on by then-City Manager Ed Gordon for his technical skills and training,” said Bartlesville Mayor Dale Copeland. “But much more important for a future city manager are his people skills and the ability to think strategically and anticipate issues and solutions. When Mr. Gordon retired, there was unanimous agreement on the Council that Mr. Bailey was the top choice for the position. Bartlesville and our City Council are blessed to have Mike leading our management team. Congratulations to him on this prestigious and well deserved honor.”
Bailey has served in municipal government for more than 19 years, beginning his career with the City in 2005 as an accountant with the Accounting & Finance Department. He was named city clerk in 2006 and treasurer in 2008, and was promoted to oversee the department as Chief Financial Officer in 2011. He was named Administrative Services director in 2014, and was appointed city manager in 2018.
The CMAO cited Bailey’s creation of the first strategic plan for the City of Bartlesville as a major achievement, saying the project resulted in “improvements in employee morale, better reporting to the City Council and the public, better financial policies, and better collaboration with other community agencies to help address childcare shortages, homelessness, and housing.”
The organization also counted the oversight of funding and construction of Unity Square Park as an important milestone for the community. “Recognizing the need for urban green space, he oversaw a successful election, planning, construction, and management of a premier outdoor destination in downtown Bartlesville,” CMAO said.
Bailey serves on numerous boards including CMAO, Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group, Bartlesville Chamber of Commerce and the local United Way. He has also received several awards including the Tom Shoemake Award, the Bartlesville Regional United Way 2021 Outstanding Board Member, and the Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Award of Excellence.
“Mike has the trust and respect within the CMAO organization and is recognized as a true municipal leader in Oklahoma,” said CMAO past-President David Tillotson.
“Winning the Gerald D. Wilkins Award is truly an honor, and I congratulate Mr. Bailey on this wonderful recognition,” said CMAO Executive Director Steve Whitlock.
Recipients of the Gerald Wilkins Award are credited with strengthening the city management form of government through their stable length of service to cities, dedication to civic activities, and participation in and contribution to CMAO and the International City Management Association. Recipients must have fully accepted the principles of ethics as outlined in the ICMA Code of Ethics and applied these ethical principles to his or her conduct in the field of city management.
Bailey will be officially honored by the CMAO during the next City Council meeting, set to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 3. The meeting will be held at City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Ave. Everyone is welcome to attend.