TARE Board To Discuss City Of Tulsa's Funding Request

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- City of Tulsa leaders believe they have a solution that may help avoid or delay some cuts and layoffs of city workers. 

The Tulsa City Council would like to take $4.5 million in surplus money from TARE, the Tulsa Authority for the Recovery of Energy, to help balance the budget. 

But it's far from a done deal.

During a fiery city council meeting Thursday, members voted six to three in favor of requesting $4.5 million be transferred from TARE.

"It would be wrong for me not to do this," said Maria Barnes, city councilor.

Officials say TARE, which among other things manages the trash-to-energy plant, has nearly $10 million in surplus funding. 

City councilors contend the surplus is the result of overcharging customers for trash service. The idea is transfer $4.5 million to the city's general fund. Tulsa's legal team will decide if transfer is legal, then TARE will have to approve it.

When The News On 6 asked TARE Chairman Steve Powell which way the board is leaning, he said he doesn't know.

"I really don't. I've talked to some of the board members, but we've not really discussed one way or another how the board is leaning," said Steve Powell, TARE Chairman.

TARE Chairman Steve Powell says there are many details that still need to be ironed out this week. He believes transferring the money may help in the short term, but it's not a perfect solution. Powell says the surplus cash is used to subsidize trash rates.

"If we provide this money to the city, it cuts into our reserves. Trash rates will have to be raised sooner than we anticipated," said Steve Powell.

But that is a risk the city seems willing to take. If it doesn't come up with the money this week, Mayor Bartlett says layoffs could begin as early as Friday.

TARE will discuss the issue during a special meeting on Wednesday morning, a day before the next city council meeting. 

Mayor Bartlett is one of the seven members of TARE's board.

1/8/2010  Related Story: What Happens Next With City's TARE Funding Request?