County officers; allowing for certain counties to employ a county manager. Effective date.

SB 976 allows Oklahoma counties with over 500,000 residents (per the latest federal census) to hire a county manager with budget board approval. The county manager would improve government efficiency, oversee human resources and IT departments, assist with budget development, and serve as a voting member of the county budget board. This bill directly affects large-county governance by creating a new management role and updating the budget board structure to include the manager. It amends existing law to require the county manager’s participation in budget deliberations and formalizes their role in county operations. The changes take effect November 1, 2025.