Utility Rate Increases, New Jobs Proposed In Mayor Bynum's Next Budget To Tulsa City Council

Tulsa Mayor GT Bynum is asking the city council to approve a more than $966 million budget, which would become the largest in the city’s history.

The plan also calls for a more than $6 monthly utility rate increase for people living in Tulsa.

Mayor Bynum blames inflation for the decision to raise costs for water, sewer, storm water and trash. The city estimates each household will see a $6.45 monthly utility rate increase.

“These are to cover the cost of service for water, sewer, storm water and trash,” said Bynum. “There’s nothing else beyond that other than just covering the cost of the service that you get.”

The plan also allows the city to create the position of Mental Health Coordinator, which would help connect a person in crisis to all of the different resources available in Tulsa.

“I think there are a lot of nonprofits out there that are also very eager to participate in this and have us help coordinate their responses as well,” said Bynum.

When it comes to public safety, the budget calls for paying for new body cameras and car upgrades for first responders. The proposal addresses the police officer shortages, which is happening in Tulsa and around the country.

To free up officers from the office, the plan would create 12 positions to be filled by civilians for jobs that do not require the full training of an officer.

There will be two meetings for the public to learn more about the budget and ask questions on May 17 and May 24.

You can click here to read the full proposal.