Mayor Bynum Presents Proposed City Budget

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum has presented his proposed Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget to the Tulsa City Council with a total proposed budget of $966.8 million.  

“This proposed budget is the result of the collaborative policy development work from members of my Administration and the Tulsa City Council,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “I want to thank each councilor for their help in sharing their priorities for this upcoming budget, and I look forward to hearing everyone’s feedback.” 

Mayor Bynum’s budget speech and presentation can be found online. 

A few key items that the FY24 budget proposal would fund include: 

Employee Highlights 

1. Funds non-sworn pay increases. 
2. Fully funds 10% Emergency Operating Reserve and continues contributions to Rainy Day Fund, both existing to protect service delivery and job stability.  
3. Expands free counseling services for City employees. 

Departmental Realignment

Improves Neighborhood Conditions, Customer Service, and Transportation Projects

1. Establishes new Department of City Experience, comprised of former Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) department, Mayor’s Office of Resilience & Equity, Tulsa Planning Office, and others. 
2. Establishes Public Works Department and Department of Water & Sewer, abolishing old Engineering Services Department and consolidating those employees into other departments for more effective collaboration.  
3. Creates new Citizen Services Advocate to serve as the customer service liaison for Council and Mayor referrals. 
4. Funds multifamily housing inspection program in DCE and Fire, a recommendation of Habitability Working Group.   

Public Safety  

1. Honors two-year FOP contract. 
2. Funds 12 positions in the Tulsa Police Department that will be staffed by civilians, which will free up more officers.  
3. Funds next-generation body cameras and vehicle equipment upgrades. 
4. Funds academies for the Tulsa Police and Fire departments.  
5. Provides $200,000 for Tulsa Police Department recruitment efforts. 
6. Provides $300,000 for continuation of $15,000 stipend for Tulsa Police Officer sign-on bonuses. 
7. Increases IT support for Real Time Information Center.  
8. Funds six additional 911 call takers. 
9. Provides $3.3 million in capital enhancements for the Tulsa Fire Department. 
10. Funds Emergency Medical Response Survey as identified by Pre-Hospital Task Force.

Utility Rate Adjustments 

City of Tulsa utility rates are adjusted yearly based on the cost of providing service. Proposed rate increases for City utilities include 3% for water and 4% for sewer. Through deliberate and continued efforts over the last 15 years, these utilities have been brought in line with the yearly cost of service. The City’s stormwater system is in the process of reaching this goal, and is recommended for an 8.5% increase. Tulsa’s trash system also needs a multi-year readjustment of rates after going a decade without any increases. Last year, trash went through a competitive bidding process to establish the new market rate, and in line with the multi-year readjustment process, the recommendation in this budget is a 16% increase. The typical household should expect to see an overall utility rate increase of about $6.45 per month starting with October bills. 

Homelessness 

1. Funds Mental Health Coordinator position as recommended by the Housing, Homelessness, and Mental Health Task Force. 

Tulsa Animal Welfare 

1. Funds two additional Animal Control Officers, one additional Veterinary Technician, and one new Outreach Coordinator.  

The Tulsa City Council will review and discuss the Mayor’s proposed budget and must approve a budget for the upcoming fiscal year at least seven days prior to June 30, the end of the City’s fiscal year. After the budget has been approved, Fiscal Year 2023-2024 will begin July 1.