Tulsa's mayor and council reach compromise on budget

After weeks of dueling over the city budget, it appears Tulsa's mayor and Tulsa's city councilors have come up with a compromise plan. <br><br>City councilors approved a budget Thursday evening

Friday, January 11th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

After weeks of dueling over the city budget, it appears Tulsa's mayor and Tulsa's city councilors have come up with a compromise plan.

City councilors approved a budget Thursday evening that removes a proposed wage cut for city workers, but stops future layoffs. The proposal will make up a projected $11-million shortfall in city funds. In the area of budget cuts, councilors approved the plan to cut almost $3 million in so called personal services. That includes Parks and Public Works, Finance and Legal departments. The city will also use more than $4-million from the materials and supplies accounts, dip into surplus funds and collect $600,000 from city fines and court costs.

Councilors approved the budget 7-to-2. Gary Watts voted against it, he says the budget plan is missing fair wage increases for the police and fire departments. "We've got the unseemly result that the elected officials are getting a 50% increase while there's no money in this budget for police and fire wages.â€

The Tulsa County Excise Board will ask the city to submit its preliminary budget for 2002-2003 by June 30th, the start of the fiscal year.