Tulsa City Budget Up 7 Percent From Last Year

The Tulsa City Council approved the city's budget and overall, it's up 7 percent from last year. The budget totals $760 million.

Public Works and Transportation Services make up the biggest line item which includes engineering services, streets and stormwater management, water and sewer departments and Tulsa Transit. Public Safety and Protection is next followed by Administrative and Support Services.

City Councilor Phil Lakin said the budget process was "relatively problem free." The vote was 8-1.

The 2015-2016 budget includes about $330,000 for staffing certain Tulsa Police Department desk jobs with civilians instead of using sworn officers.

The desk positions are currently staffed by police officers, and councilors say replacing them with civilians will bring about significant savings.

Also, the city will put aside $150,000 for new emergency sirens and $120,000 for mowing more often.

In conjunction with the budget, the Council adopted a resolution to express policy objectives relating to future budget priorities if revenues become available. These priorities are, in order:

• Phase two of the MTTA Downtown Pilot program
• One temporary seasonal neighborhood inspector
• Performance audit personnel
• Graffiti abatement crew and equipment
• Municipal Courts community courts personnel
• Family Safety Center programs
• Three temporary seasonal neighborhood inspectors
• Crime Prevention Network programs
• Community Intervention Center programs