City Council Recap | April 17, 2024

The City Council met on April 17, 2024, for committee meetings and a City Council meeting. 

Below are the highlights of Council discussion and action items.

Urban & Economic Development Committee | 10:30am

Project Anthem Incentive District

Tulsa Authority for Economic Opportunity (TAEO) discussed with City Councilors a Local Development Act Tax Exemption Agreement for Project Anthem. The agreement includes an incentive request exemption of 85% ad valorem tax (property tax) and ad valorem special assessments levied against new real and personal property investments. The entities included in this agreement would include:

- City of Tulsa

- Wagoner County

- Catoosa Public Schools

- Tulsa Tech

- Wagoner County Health Department

- Rolling Hills District

Project Anthem is an $800 million Economic Development Project Plan in East Tulsa on 11th Street and the Creek Turnpike. The plan is to build a data center that sponsors a public-private partnership to bring economic growth to the area. There will be 50 new jobs created with an average yearly wage of $63,000 and the project will generate up to $50 million in direct and indirect economic activity.

Some of the objectives of the project plan include:

- Facilitate development of the Project

- Support public education and school districts by only providing partial exemption

- Support other governmental entities by only providing partial exemption

- Repurpose and activate vacant/underutilized land

- Enhance the tax base

Wednesday’s City Council meeting held one of two public hearings on Project Anthem. The next public hearing will be May 1 at 5pm. The next step will be for the City Council to approve or deny the Ordinance to make the City of Tulsa an Incentive District.

View the Committee meeting here

View the Public Hearing here

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City Council Regular Meeting | 5:00pm

Mayor Presents Proposed Budget

Mayor GT Bynum presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget to the City Council with a total proposed budget of $1.023 billion.

The proposed budget includes:

- Restoring the City’s emergency operating reserve to a level of 8.5% of the general fund

- Protects compensation increases implemented over the past several years, providing for an across-the-board pay increase for all employees in the amount of 2% in the coming year

- Enhances the Tulsa Fire side of the 911 Center by adding two positions

- Provides for a new app that will give instantaneous direct connection between first responders and citizens

- Follows through on significant capital projects, including operations of the new Public Safety Center and Zink Lake

- Funds a 2-year program to convert City-owned highway lights to LEDs through the voter-approved PSO Franchise Agreement

- Creates a Homeless Program Lead who will collaborate with City leadership and external stakeholders in the development, implementation and monitoring of City-led homelessness efforts as part of the Path to Home initiative

- Adjusts utility rates to keep Tulsa in line with the cost to deliver service

o 3% increase for water (does not impact residential customers inside city limits)

o 3% increase for sewer

o 15% increase for stormwater

o 9% increase for refuse and recycling

The City Council will review and discuss the proposed budget at a regular meeting, followed by public hearings and first and second readings. The Council must vote to approve the budget at least seven days prior to June 30, the end of the City’s fiscal year. After the budget has been approved, Fiscal Year 2024-2025 will begin on July 1.

View the proposed budget here

Watch the presentation here

For information on the budget process and dates, visit the City Council’s website here

Elected Officials’ Salaries

In an 8-0 vote, the City Council approved an Ordinance amending the next Mayor’s salary from $105,000 to $190,000, the first pay increase since 2002. The Mayor’s salary will be adjusted for every new term according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), subject to Council approval. The Ordinance also provides for eligible elected officials to participate in a deferred compensation retirement plan.

Two City Charter amendments will be presented to voters at the General Election on August 27, approving a salary increase for the City Councilors from $24,000/year to $32,000/year and the City Auditor’s salary from 70% of the Mayor’s salary to 75%. The salary increases for the Mayor, City Councilors, and City Auditor, if approved, will go into effect December 2, 2024.

View the Committee meeting here

View the Council meeting here

For more information on the Charter Amendments, visit the City Council’s website here

Community Development Project: Skelly Bypass Trail

The City Council discussed a proposed project in District 5 that would utilize $400,000 from the Improve Our Tulsa 2 funds to rehabilitate the Skelly Bypass Trail. The trail runs from 45th & Yale to 42nd & Fulton. In addition to repaving the trail, the proposal includes additional amenities to enhance the recreation value, such as installing outdoor fitness machines along the trail. The Council decided to bring the item back to a Committee meeting on May 1 to gather more information and resident feedback on the project.

View the Committee Meeting here

View the Council Meeting here

Proclamation in Memory of Former Mayor Robert LaFortune

Tulsa City Council presented a Proclamation to Mayor GT Bynum in honor of his late grandfather and former Tulsa City Mayor, Robert LaFortune.

Robert LaFortune, a native son of the City of Tulsa, had a long and storied career as a public servant, most notably as Mayor from 1970 to 1978. His first job with the City of Tulsa started in 1964 when he was elected as Commissioner of Streets and Public Property and, during his tenure, was instrumental in the historic purchase and development of the land for the Port of Catoosa.

LaFortune subsequently ran for Mayor and was successfully elected to four terms from 1970 to 1978 paving the way for countless visionary projects focusing on the future growth and prosperity of Tulsa. His influence and ideals have reached all corners of the City, highly regarded as the “standard-bearer” for all successive Tulsa Mayors, he was renowned as a touchstone for political leaders throughout the area, including his grandson and current Mayor, GT Bynum.

Robert LaFortune and his far-reaching life of public service has epitomized the city, the culture, and the era, widely known for excellence, he aimed “to keep a sense of integrity about (his) life” and the City of Tulsa, the city that he dearly loved, will be forever indebted to him.

View the presentation here

Proclamation for Black Maternal Health Week

The City Council presented a Proclamation to the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) and declared the week of April 11-17 as Black Maternal Health Week. Black Maternal Health Week was founded in 2018 by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) to bring attention and awareness to improving Black maternal health and is recognized each year from April 11-17.

Disparities in healthcare, underlying chronic conditions, structural racism, and implicit bias contribute to increased pregnancy-related deaths and negative maternal health outcomes for Black women. Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women and Black women’s maternal mortality has remained higher than white women’s risk for the past six decades.

In Oklahoma, the Black maternal mortality rate is higher than that of the nation, where Black women account for 10% of births but make up over 22% of all maternal deaths. Many pregnancy-related deaths can be prevented but Black women’s voices need to be central to the care and we can all provide support to Black women and the organizations that are advancing the cause of Black maternal health.

View the presentation here

Proclamation for the 2024 Professional Disc Golf Association Junior World Championship in Tulsa

City Councilor Crista Patrick presented to the Tulsa Disc Sports Association for their support in hosting the 2024 PDGA Junior World Championship in Tulsa.

Disc golf is a fast-growing sport that is fun, affordable, and accessible to people of all ages and ability levels. Tulsa is home to many disc golf courses and is considered to be the fourth best disc golf destination in the country according to the UDisc app.

The Tulsa Disc Sports Association has served the local disc golf community for over forty years and continues to support this growing sport by hosting the 2024 PDGA Junior World Championship here in Tulsa.

The 2024 PDGA Junior World Championship, taking place from July 13th to 20th, will draw approximately 500 young competitors, their guardians, and disc golf spectators from around the world and is estimated to have a significant economic impact while showcasing our city.

Star Tulsans: Josh Stout and LouAnn Smith

City Councilors Jeannie Cue and Crista Patrick presented two "Star Tulsan" awards this month to residents dedicated to improving their neighborhood and city.

Josh Stout was honored for personally investing in the Redfork District by operating his own Art Gallery and working to beautify the business district and the surrounding neighborhood.

LouAnn Smith was honored for her involvement in multiple organizations to make the City of Tulsa a prosperous place for all citizens.

They provide a positive image, for District 2 and the entire City, doing outstanding work in volunteering at the Route 66 Historical Village, Route 66 Main Street Board, where LouAnn serves as the President and Josh serves as the Chairman of the Board.

View the presentation here

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Upcoming Town Halls

District 4 Town Hall

Thursday, May 2, 2024

6:00pm-7:30pm

Centennial Center in Veterans Park- 1028 E. 6th St.

Join City Councilor Laura Bellis for a discussion on District 4 updates and budget priorities for the City of Tulsa with an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback.