Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum has submitted his budget for fiscal year 2023 and it is $944.9 million – an increase of $145.5 million (18.2%).

The budget includes $1,000,000.00 to dig up graves and DNA analysis in connection with the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre (Race Riot).

Bynum’s budget includes police academies for 90 cadets – the most allowed by statute – and 30 new firefighters. $16/hour minimum wage for full-time employees

The budget has no increase in water rates for FY23 – which could be Bynum’s last year in office – but a 3% increase for FY24 when he has indicated he would not seek another term.

However, there will be a 7% hike in sewer rates and an 8.5% increase for stormwater in the latest  proposed budget.

The Tulsa City Council will review the proposed budget and must approve a budget at least seven days prior to June 30, the end of the city’s fiscal year. After the budget has been approved, Fiscal Year 22-23 will begin July 1.

The City of Tulsa gets its money from several major sources, including five local taxes: sales tax, use tax, franchise tax/right-of-way user fees from utility companies, hotel/motel tax, and ad valorem tax. Other sources include enterprise revenues from airport charges, golf course fees, and utility services – water, sewer, refuse and stormwater. The city also gets revenue from licenses and permits, culture and recreation facilities, municipal court fines, public safety fees, interest earnings, federal grants and shared revenue from state government.

Here are some budget proposal highlights.

Staff

  • $16/hour minimum wage for full-time employees
  • Pay increases for some workers
  • Two additional human resource analysts to help fill positions
  • $75,000 marketing resources budget for human resources and communications for a hiring campaign
  • Ten additional customer care (311) agents

Public Safety

  • 90 cadets – the maximum number for TPD
  • $50,000 increase in police recruiting budget
  • 30 Fire Department cadets
  • Training for 20 new paramedics within TFD
  • Establishment of a Real-Time Information Center
  • Replacement of 50 consoles in 911 Call Center
  • $3.8 million in priority equipment for TFD, including renewal of protective bunker gear, capital equipment and apparatus replacement.
  • Expansion of the Community Response Team (CRT) program

City Services

  • Additional security at city parks to reduce vandalism.
  • Additional $200,000 for the Working in Neighborhoods (WIN) for abatements to address code violations.
  • WIN administrative assistant for special events permitting and oversize load permits
  • Funding to support the public investment in Zink Lake
  • $2 million for implementation of the Kirkpatrick Heights Master Plan
  • $1 million to continue 1921 graves excavation and DNA analysis
  • Addition of prosecutor to assist with night court and an additional City Attorney to assist the City Council
  • Funding of the Municipal Employees’ Retirement Plan and a 1% increase split between employees and the city, who will both contribute 0.5% more in FY23.
  • Continued funding for street maintenance, pavement markings and striping, highway lighting, and traffic signalization

Utilities, EMSA, etc.

  • No increase in water rates for FY23, and a 3% increase for FY24
  • 7% revenue increase for sanitary sewer system in FY23
  • 8.5% rate increase for the stormwater system
  • No rate changes for trash service or emergency medical services in FY23

Capital Budget

  • $120.4 million capital budget for directly funded projects, net of transfers
  • Includes $36.9 million in sales tax funded projects
  • Funding for Police, Fire, Parks, Citywide Public Facilities, Economic Development Infrastructure, Transit rolling stock and Capital Equipment
  • $3.9 million for apparatus replacement for TFD
  • $4 million to fund a new parking garage for the Veterans Hospital to be constructed in downtown Tulsa
  • $14.3 million for capital equipment.
  • Higher levels of direct funding for water and sewer capital projects from enterprise funds
  • $49.8 million for water treatment plant work, supply system repairs, water line replacement and relocation projects
  • $33.4 million for sewer treatment plants, pipe replacement and other system work
  • $5.4 million for stormwater pipe extensions, drainage improvements associated with roadway projects, small critical drainage projects and detention pond rehabilitation, and,
  • $65.3 million for nine projects, with the largest allocation going toward debt service.