City spending plan grows nearly 10% as officials shift key programs from federal relief funding to local revenue sources
TULSA — Tulsa residents will see higher utility bills under a $1.227 billion fiscal year 2027 budget approved unanimously by the Tulsa City Council, a spending plan that also expands local funding for homelessness services and other city priorities.
The budget, approved June 18, represents an increase of nearly 10% from the city’s current $1.12 billion budget and includes additional funding for homelessness services, capital projects, nuisance property demolitions and emergency management operations.
Under the approved budget, water and stormwater rates will increase 7%, sewer rates will rise 4.7% and refuse and recycling fees will increase 4%. City officials estimate the combined increases will add approximately $5.82 per month to the bill of a typical residential customer.
The budget includes approximately $445 million in general fund spending and about $207 million for capital projects. General fund spending, which supports most day-to-day city operations, is 6.1% higher than the original allocation approved for the current fiscal year.
One of the most significant policy shifts involves funding for Safe Move Tulsa, Mayor Monroe Nichols’ homelessness initiative. During the current fiscal year, portions of the program were supported through federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars and opioid settlement funds. Under the new budget, homelessness services and operation of the city’s low-barrier shelter will be funded through the city’s general fund, which relies primarily on local sales and use tax revenue.
Council members expressed support for continuing homelessness services while also seeking greater accountability measures. According to Tulsa World reporting, councilors requested standardized quarterly reporting and plan to allocate portions of the program’s funding through future budget amendments based on those reports.
The spending plan also provides $425,000 for a standalone city emergency management department following Tulsa’s decision to separate from the joint Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency. Some council members questioned whether maintaining separate city and county operations is the most efficient long-term approach and indicated they may revisit collaborative alternatives in the future.
Additional changes to the budget include $840,000 for demolition of large-scale nuisance properties and $7.5 million to support construction of the Tulsa Zoo’s African Wilds exhibit.
Following the vote, Nichols said the budget reflects priorities identified by residents, including investments in streets, code enforcement, animal services, housing, homelessness programs and public safety.
Source: Tulsa World
