City Councilors Pick 12 Year Plan

The Tulsa City Council has decided on a street repair package for the city. 

The vote Thursday night was 5 to 4 in favor of a 12-year, $2 billion package.  That package now heads to the desk of Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor. 

During an appearance on Six in the Morning, Taylor encouraged citizens to contact her before she decides on whether or not to put the plan up for a vote on the November election ballot. 

"That still has to come to my desk to review and sign.  So I certainly, if voters have an opinion about what happened last night, I encourage them to call me and call the council, because it is not on the ballot yet," said Mayor Kathy Taylor. 

After much debate Thursday night, the longer package won out. 

The fight had been between a long-term plan and a shorter, cheaper option.  Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor backed the 5-year, $452 million proposal. 

In the last week, several city leaders including the police and fire chiefs said they, too wanted the shorter plan.  But the majority of city councilors decided it didn't do enough and debate Thursday night continued for over an hour. 

"Kicking the can down the street is not leadership, kicking the can down the street is merely putting the problem off to another day," said council member John Eagleton. 

"The 12 year plan is like a homeowner paying off his mortgage and not having money to buy the weekly groceries," said councilor Bill Christiansen. 

The larger package requires an increase in property taxes and utility rates for 12 years.  That means the average homeowner would pay about $90 a year. 

The plan will not raise sales taxes. 

In addition, city councilors voted against putting both options on the November 4 ballot, because funding issues with the plans would have had to be changed in order for that to happen.