Tulsa voters will decide the fate of three city proposals on November 12 for a sales tax increase of $639,000,000.00 that would last more than six years.

The first proposition is supposed to go for streets and “transportation.” The second proposition is for capital projects (parks, public safety, vehicles, etc.) The third proposition would create a “rainy day” fund – which would be used only in a recession.

 “Tulsans rely on the Council and Mayor to efficiently deliver basic government services and projects, including safe and smooth streets and sidewalks, functional police and fire equipment, and well-maintained parks and facilities,” Tulsa City Council Chairman Phil Lakin said.

Tulsans pay a sales tax of 8.517 percent with 4.5 percent going to the state, .367 percent to Tulsa County and 3.65 percent to the city. The State of Oklahoma has an average 8.92 percent sales tax, according to the Tax Foundation.

According to the Tax Foundation, Oklahoma has the sixth highest sales taxes in the nation, behind only: 1. Tennessee; 2. Louisiana; 3. Arkansas; 4. Washington; and 5. Alabama. Some states collect no sales tax on food and some collect no sales tax on anything.

The tax increase – if approved – would follow on the heels of the sales tax hike in 2013, which will expire. Tulsa voters first approved this sales tax increase in 2013, which totaled $918,700,000.00.

Bynum and city councilors created the plan and then held meetings to present their pre-determined tax increase to the public. More public meetings are planned to generate more support for the tax increase vote.