City councilors began work in earnest on finalizing Tulsa’s budget for next fiscal year.
It’s practically flat, but with revenue projections lagging millions of dollars behind, dozens of vacant positions will be eliminated. Public safety proponent Karen Gilbert objected to a proposal to cut 15 9-1-1 operator positions.
"It doesn't look good that we just passed a public safety tax adding more 9-1-1 dispatchers, and here we are taking away dispatcher positions," Gilbert said.
City Finance Director Mike Kier told Gilbert those positions are all currently vacant.
Though cuts are being made in most city departments, there’s about $3 million in unallocated funds for councilors to play with. Finance Director Mike Kier said some or all of it should go into a rainy day fund to help the city deal with economic ups and downs.
"We don't necessarily have to build it, but if we don't want to build that, then you've got to be prepared to take those rides," Kier said.
Councilors have different priorities, with different councilors pushing for more money for building permit staff, street light repairs, code enforcement officers and mowing cycles. They have until the end of June to finalize the city’s budget.
