© 2024 Public Radio Tulsa
800 South Tucker Drive
Tulsa, OK 74104
(918) 631-2577

A listener-supported service of The University of Tulsa
classical 88.7 | public radio 89.5
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

City Councilors Want More From Mayor in Vision Renewal Process

Matt Trotter
/
KWGS

Tulsa city councilors consider a resolution to force Mayor Dewey Bartlett into clarifying his concept for a potential Vision sales tax renewal.

"I don't want to speak for everyone else, but I have no problem saying that I think it would be appropriate that the mayor of the city would be more actively involved in the process than he has been," said Vision/Economic Development Task Force Chair Blake Ewing.

With interest in the city's Vision renewal building, Ewing said Bartlett's position needs to be clear.

"It's been kind of a general question across Tulsa County: What is the mayor of Tulsa's official response?" Ewing said. "What is his intent? Is he going to take a leadership position in this? Does he have a vision for the city of his own?"

Several councilors expressed frustration in the most recent task force meeting, saying they hardly see the mayor at meetings to develop a Vision proposal.

Councilors have drafted a resolution saying revenue will primarily go toward capital improvements and Tulsa will collaborate with the county and neighboring cities. Bartlett would have to approve or veto it, which councilors think would clarify his position.

Ewing said it's part of the political process.

"This isn't a, you know, nefarious act. This is just a simple act of government," Ewing said. "We created a resolution that says what our intent is — to have a vote at this time and what types of things would be on the ballot and all that — and give him a chance to weigh in."

The full resolution is online as a PDF.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.