On May 24, 2023, the Tulsa City Council voted to approve ballot language for Improve Our Tulsa, an $814 million funding package that will not raise taxes, but fund critical improvements to identified City facilities and sites while also providing capital funding for public safety equipment, street maintenance and housing and neighborhoods.

Tulsans will have a chance on August 8, 2023, to vote on the measure.

I am thankful for the collaborative effort it took to put forth this ballot measure, and I want to thank the Tulsa City Council and everyone in our community who helped get us to this point,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “If approved by voters in August, this renewal will fund basic infrastructure improvements like streets and public safety vehicles, maintenance of public buildings, and assistance to get those in need off the streets.”

This round of Improve Our Tulsa was developed through input from members of the City, the Tulsa City Council and the public.

“I am pleased that Tulsa voters will have the opportunity to weigh in to continue street maintenance, increase the availability of housing, and provide much-needed updates to City facilities,” District 3 City Councilor and Chair of the Tulsa City Council said. “Renewing this funding package will Improve Our Tulsa for all, including residents, City employees, and visitors.”

In March, Mayor Bynum presented a draft plan to the Tulsa City Council. In April and May, the City held three town halls at various locations to hear from the public on what they thought of the draft plan.

Using feedback from the public and from members of the Tulsa City Council, an additional $42 million was added to the draft plan through the addition of a bond issuance that aligns with the final year of the proposed sales tax. The addition, which also does not raise taxes, brings the Improve Our Tulsa total to $814 million – the final number that will be reflected on ballots in August.

Funding highlights include:

  • $295.8 million for streets and transportation, which includes funding for street widening
  • $270.4 million for City-owned facility upgrades and maintenance
  • $152.8 million for City fleet, including fire trucks
  • $95 million for housing and neighborhood needs

A somewhat more detailed list provided by the City lists these projects under those categories:

Total Resources: $814M

Streets and Transportation: $295.8M

  • Inflation Adjustment for Previously Approved

Street Projects: $93.8M

  • Citywide Routine and Preventive Maintenance: $68M
  • Street Widening: $46M
  • Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation: $24M
  • Matching Funds: $21.6M
  • Traffic Engineering: $19.32M
  • American Disabilities Act (ADA): $10M
  • Sidewalks: $4.88M
  • Construction Completion Incentives: $4M
  • Engineering, Inspection and Testing: $3M
  • Alleys: $1.2M

City Facilities: $270.4M

  • Safety Training Center Driving Track Overlay: $4.4M
  • BOK Center: $6.4M
    • Building Improvements
    • Safety and Security
  • Convention Center: $18.8M
    • Roof Replacement
    • Building Improvements
    • Safety and Security
  • Tulsa Performing Arts Center: $79.7M
    • Building Updates (HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Fire Sprinkler, ADA, Update Dressing Rooms and Lighting)
    • Chapman Hall (Reslope Seating Floor, New Seating and Aisles, New AV, Lighting, and Finishes, Acoustic Improvements, Reconfigure Pit Wall)
    • Loading Dock Enclosure (Expanded and Enclosed Semi Capacity, New Passenger Elevator and Dressing Room, Additional Story Above Enclosure)
    • Design and Project Management
  • River Parks Maintenance Building: $5M
  • Parks: $31.9M
    • Page Belcher Golf Course
    • Mohawk Golf Course
    • Chamberlain and Berry Park Improvements
    • Johnson Park Rehabilitation
    • Parking Lot Rehabilitation
    • Roof Repairs
    • Repair and Conversion of Lighting
    • Mohawk Park Facilities Rehabilitation
    • Mohawk Road Repairs
    • HVAC Replacements
    • Regional Trail Repairs
    • Internal Loop Walk Repairs
    • Chamberlain Pool
    • Swan Lake
  • Public Safety Center: $47.5M
    • Building acquisition and relocation
    • Police-Courts Demolition
    • Lease Courts and Jail Space from Operating Budget
  • Consolidated Maintenance Facility for Tulsa Police and Fire Departments: $16M
  • Zoo: $25.7M
    • Children’s Zoo
    • Roof Replacements
    • Rainforest Rehabilitation
    • Perimeter Risk Mitigation
  • Gilcrease Matching Funds: $10M
  • Zink Lake Infrastructure: $5M
  • Citywide Facility Maintenance: $20M

Capital Equipment: $152.8M

  • Tulsa Fire Department Fleet: $58.5M
  • Other Vehicles/Equipment/IT: $94.3M

Housing and Neighborhoods: $95M

  • Housing $75M: Combined with ARPA ($5M), DDRF ($8.1M), HOME-ARP ($5M) and Affordable Housing Trust Fund ($8.4M) and opioid settlement funds ($2.7M) to establish $104.2M Tulsa Housing Initiative
  • Neighborhood Revitalization: $15M
  • Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Area Master Plan Implementation: $5M Initiative to help fill a critical housing need in Tulsa. This renewal builds on previous Improve Our Tulsa funding packages while providing necessary funding to complete voter-approved street projects.