Tulsa City Council Rejects, Reconsiders, Delays Budget Cut

By Emory Bryan, The News on 6

TULSA, OK -- The Tulsa City Council rejected, resuscitated, and finally tabled a $7.6 million budget cut Thursday night.

The cut on the agenda was the same one delayed last week, so it could be discussed further in council committee sessions.

The measure failed on a vote without discussion at the City Council meeting Thursday night. Minutes later, Council Jack Henderson asked for clarification of the vote, saying he intended to delay the item so it could be discussed further.

Several councilors were surprised to learn their colleagues had a plan to break up the budget items and go over them at another time.

"What am I reconsidering here?" Councilor Maria Barnes said at one point.

Council Chair Rick Westcott said, "Whatever you guys discussed before we met here at 6 o'clock."

Typically the council discusses individual budgetary items in committee meetings, which then by consensus are lumped together for votes in regular council meetings.

During the discussion to reconsider the vote, Councilor Jack Henderson said, "We're going to be able to approve some of these items, but may not want to approve all of them, so that's why we wanted to have a special meeting to do that."

"I'm sorry, I just wasn't part of the discussion that decided we're going to do all this,"said Councilor G. T. Bunkum.

To laughter from Henderson, Councilor Rick Westcott added "I'm not a member of the gang either."

Councilors Christiansen, Turner, Henderson and Barnes voted against the item. Councilors Bynum, Mautino and Westcott voted for it. Councilors Trail and Eagleton were absent.

The Tulsa city council will continue their budget discussion Monday at 10 a.m. in Room 411 of City Hall.