Tulsans will vote on a $597,000,000.00 tax increase on November 12 but some city officials want as much as $2,200,000,000.00 just to fix the city’s crumbling streets. About $427,000,000.00 of the giant tax package would be financed through borrowing (bonds) and the rest would be paid for by sales taxes.

The sales tax in Tulsa is 8.517 percent, with 3.65 percent going to the city, .367 percent going to county government and 4.5 percent going to the state.

Of Tulsa’s 3.65 percent portion, 2 percent is for the general fund; 1.1 percent is for the capital fund; .0305 percent is for “economic development;” .16 percent is for public safety; and .085 percent for transit. The city also has franchise tax/right-of-way user fees and a hotel/motel tax.

With tax increases passed in 2008 and 2013, the city borrowed and spent about $883,000,000.00 to fix streets. City officials say the lack of regular maintenance has caused repair costs to soar and had made more headaches for city motorists.

If the November 12 tax hike passes, officials have not said how much of more than half a billion dollars will be devoted to street repair and expansion. Mayor G.T. Bynum is deciding how much might be spent on streets but he hasn’t made an announcement.

After Bynum tells the councilors what he wants, the city will hold public meetings to get citizen input.

In the past, traffic count has not been the top priority in street work and motorists and businessmen complained after the length of time it takes to get contractors for finish projects on major streets.

Tulsa uses a rating system for pavement to determine how far gone a street is. Officials claim that the street conditions are getting better. A computer assessed the greatest needs and prioritizes projects based on available funds. Since approval of the new tax in 2013, all nine city council districts get street work.

The projects vary from patching and crack sealing to asphalt overlay to complete reconstruction – including storm water issues, sidewalk tripping hazards and handicap ramps, and replacement of old water lines.

According to the city website, “The projects are grouped in order to maximize contractor efficiencies, but not overlap with other projects in the vicinity. The city avoids working on simultaneous projects in an area where lane closures on nearby streets or intersections would disrupt the flow of traffic.”

Tulsa has to coordinate with Tulsa County and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation plus coordinate with utility companies, cable and fiber optics.

“Access to businesses is always a priority,” the website claims. “A city-authorized field inspector oversees each street project.”