Tulsa's 3rd penny up for discussion at tonight's city council meeting

Talks continue on how to move forward with the proposed third penny sales tax extension. Tulsa city leaders can't agree on how long to extend the tax or how to spend the revenue. <br/><br/>6 in the

Thursday, January 26th 2006, 6:11 am

By: News On 6

Talks continue on how to move forward with the proposed third penny sales tax extension. Tulsa city leaders can't agree on how long to extend the tax or how to spend the revenue.

6 in the Morning reporter Omar Villafranca says the mayor wants $437-million for several different projects.

Part of the mayor's proposal includes money for river development. He also wants to spend money on public safety, such as new vehicles for Tulsa Police. In addition, the mayor plans on improving several streets that stretches across the city.

Some councilors don't agree on how the money will be distributed in the mayor's plan. Tulsa's biggest employer, American Airlines, wants new hangars. The mayor wants to set aside $4-million for that project. But some councilors think the airline should have to pay for the new hangars.

And there's still the question of how long the tax should be extended. Past extensions have been for five years, but tough economic times didn't generate enough money. So, there are questions on whether it should last six years.

How to spend the money and for how long tax extension should last has to be decided quickly if it's to be on the upcoming ballot.

The city council will try and make a decision at tonight's meeting. It starts at 6 PM in the city council room.