Mayor G.T. Bynum’s proposed total 2021 fiscal year city budget is almost $800 million – with $262.9 million in the general fund.
That’s about 5% less than the approved budget last year and virtually the same amount for the general budget.
Tulsa was forced into cutbacks due to the Chinese coronavirus that began in 2020 and Bynum instituted limited employee furloughs, hiring freezes and travel cutbacks. Those cuts have been restored.
City financial planners say the city could expect a budget shortfall in the new budget of up to $10 million. Yet sales tax collections are projected to increase by 5%.
Bynum’s new budget calls for $4 million to be placed in the city’s Rainy Day fund (taken from sales tax revenues). That would raise the fund to more than $7 million.
By law, Tulsa can’t operate with a deficit. The fiscal year begins July 1.
Every year Bynum has been in office, utility rates have risen. His new budget calls for a 3% rate hike for sewer and stormwater fees.
His budget includes funding for:
- Searching for graves for the 1921 Race Riot (Massacre)
- Pay hikes for some employees in unions
- No changes in the mowing cycles
- Replacement of broken street lights
- Expansion of the animal shelter
- A new structure for Gilcrease Museum
- Two police academies and one fire academy, and
- City pools, splash pads and day camps.
Now the City Council will consider Bynum’s proposal and a vote is required by June 30.
Redrawing districts
Also, Bynum has appointed four former city councilors and a businesswoman for a committee to oversee the updating of the city council political districts.
The former councilors are Republicans John Eagleton and Rick Westcott; Democrat Joe Williams; Democrat businesswoman Sharon King Davis; and former councilor Susan Neal (formerly a Republican, now an Independent).
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Tulsa’s estimated population was 401,190 as of 2019. The nine council districts are redrawn every 10 years following the national census.