Tulsa continues to gain recognition as a progressive city that is among the best places in the nation to live and do business. The development of Tulsa's new baseball complex will continue the city's economic development momentum, bringing 400,000 visitors to downtown per year, creating 1,400 construction jobs and more than 200 permanent positions new jobs, generating more tax revenue and resulting in further growth for the downtown area. The permanent economic impact is estimated at $13 million in sales and $4.4 million in payroll - strengthening the city's core and bringing in additional revenues that help fund infrastructure and street improvements and police and fire services.

Updated Budget Information

City of Tulsa Budget questions and information about recent revisions to the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget.

Read Update...

18 Tulsa Police Officers Rehired

Mayor Kathy Taylor has received notice of approval from the Department of Justice for a grant that will allow for the rehiring of 18 of 21 police officers who were laid off October 27 in response to the ongoing economic downturn facing Tulsa and the nation.

Mike Kier, City of Tulsa Finance Director, said "the City was ahead of projections through December 2008, but based on the continuing deterioration of the national economy, we knew those revenues would not continue and we began to make reductions in our expenditures."

"In the last seven months the City has seen the largest sales tax decline in history, and we currently expect a 6.2% decline for the current fiscal year," Kier said.

These types of revenue shortfalls are affecting cities all over the nation, including Peoria, Illinois, where the budget calls for the layoffs of 20 police officers, and Bossier City, Louisiana, whose 2010 budget calls for a reduction of 28 police officers.

Earlier this year, Boston laid off 40 police officers. Stockton, CA let go of 43 officers, and Toledo, Ohio laid off 75 police officers.

"I respect the sacrifices our sworn officers have made to help us navigate through this financial crisis. That's why my team worked so hard to ensure that the City could rehire 18 officers with the Department of Justice grant. We are working hard to find a place for the remaining 3 officers," Mayor Taylor said.

"The fact is, if we had the money, we'd hire more police officers," said Mayor Taylor.

Chief Palmer agrees.

"I had the responsibility of making recommendations to the Mayor for our portion of the general fund reductions, and it was extremely difficult to lay off police officers," he said. "We were optimistic that we would be approved to rehire 18 through the COPS grant. The United States Department of Justice, in approving our request to modify the original COPS application, recognized the legitimacy of the economy and budget realities we face.

"In all of my years of experience, this budget has been the most difficult to work through," Palmer said. "We are making difficult decisions because it is necessary."

Palmer said the Department continues to work to help three officers find positions, and he is reassigning the Mounted Patrol officers and Helicopter unit to patrol cars and to areas where they are most needed.

Read the full press release...

Celebrate Tulsa Global Entrepreneurship Week, November 16-20

Mayor Kathy Taylor, entrepreneurs, business leaders and educators will be hosting events throughout the week of November 16-20 for entrepreneurs, small business owners and anyone interested or supporters of entrepreneurialism.

Events highlighted during the week include the Global Entrepreneurship Week Kick-Off Event on November 16 at ONEOK Field, 11:30 a.m., The Mayor's Entrepreneurial Spirit Award on November 17 at the TCC Center 4 Creativity, 5:30 p.m. and the Tulsey Awards on November 19 at Cain's Ballroom, 7 p.m.

Tulsa Million Miles Goes the Distance!

TMM-3 Tulsans celebrated at the 32nd annual Tulsa Run when
Mayor Kathy Taylor, TPS kids and City employees
crossed the 2K finish line completing 1,006,930 miles for
Tulsa Million Miles.

Read the full press release and see the pictures...

Fixing the Streets - What Happens Now

FixOurStreets For more than two years through surveys and town halls, Tulsans said fixing the city streets is a priority. On Nov. 4, 2008, Tulsans voted to make a sizable investment in the community to provide $451.6 million in funding through the third penny sales tax and a general obligation bond issue. The two funding packages combined represent the largest investment in infrastructure in Tulsa's history.

Now, the hard work begins. With citizen approval in place, the Public Works Department will begin to schedule and design work to be done. The schedule depends on coordination with other projects, the level of funding available as the bond issues are sold, the condition of the pavement, the geographic location and the complexity of the work to be done. All nine council districts of the city will receive street work, so projects will be spread throughout Tulsa.