Tulsa City Council This Week to Discuss Budget, Privatization and Terry Simonson

By Emory Bryan, The News on 6

TULSA, OK -- The Tulsa City Council plans to vote Thursday to possibly restore budget changes they made to the City of Tulsa budget.  Mayor Dewey Bartlett vetoed the council's budget amendments, but several councilors say it's likely they will override Bartlett's veto.

6/23/2010 Related story: Tulsa Mayor Vetoes City Council's Budget Changes

Before the vote Thursday to possibly override the veto, the city council will meet for another discussion and possible action on their investigation of the Mayor's Chief of Staff Terry Simonson.  Simonson is accused of lying to council, which could result in a misdemeanor municipal charge.

6/24/2010 Related story: Battle Lines Drawn Between Tulsa Mayor And City Councilors

Tuesday, the city council has asked to mayor to update them on a plan to privatize sales tax collection and the Tulsa Zoo, both of which has caused the council to complain that the administration was making major changes without keeping them informed. 

Councilors have also added to their agenda for Tuesday a discussion of using money paid for trash pickup to instead mow right of way and clean up graffiti. 

The City Council included the money in their budget figures, but Mayor Bartlett vetoed the change, claiming it was a possibly an illegal use of the money.