City Council Focuses On Cuts To Departments Other Than Police, Fire

By Emory Bryan, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- There is still a $10 million budget gap. Friday is the mayor's self imposed deadline for the cuts to take effect.

With major layoffs possibly just three days away, other city departments besides police and fire are getting some attention. Other city services will be cut just as much.  

In some departments, for some councilors, that's just fine.

It was a city council budget marathon, with hours of discussion about cutting back city government.

"Get rid of those people first to send a message that you're trying to make this thing work," said Jack Henderson, Tulsa City Councilor.

Several councilors were outraged the information technology department has more than 40 employees making over $75,000 a year.

They're among the highest paid positions in city government, but the very top tier has agreed to take a cut.

Ben Stout, Director of Information Technology, said, "I spoke with all of my management team and they have agreed that we would take a reduction."

The cuts are not as clear at the police department, where a frustrated chief palmer says he's not sure when the cuts will come, but he does know that all the plans include layoffs.

Tulsa Police Chief Ron Palmer said, "All of them still include layoffs, it's just the number of people impacted, you cannot, worst case scenario, you cannot thin the ranks at the upper end and create the $3.4 million you need, there's not enough people there, there's not enough salaries there."

The council grilled several department heads about savings.

The Tulsa Public Works Department plans to turn off all highway lighting, eliminate almost all mowing in parks and medians and even cut school crossing guards as soon as possible.

The council learned crossing guards alone cost the city $1.4 million a year.

"If the school would pick that up, I was kind of surprised to hear the salaries are that high, I thought it was volunteer," said Jim Mautino, City Councilor.

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Late Tuesday, news came the city has set a meeting for all employees Wednesday at 1:30 at the convention center where the mayor will brief employees on his plan.

Many of the newer city employees have known their jobs have been in jeopardy since well before Christmas and they are eager to hear what he has to say.

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