City, county reach compromise with competing tax plans

The City of Tulsa and Tulsa County appear to have reached a compromise on competing sales tax votes.

Tulsa County was considering asking voters to approve a 0.167% sales tax increase to pay for a new juvenile justice center as well as expansion of the jail.

The City of Tulsa wants voters to approve extending the current 1.167% sales tax to pay for capital improvements.

The compromise has the City reducing the percentage it is asking for from 1.167% to 1.1%.

The County would also lower its percentage from 0.167% to 0.067%.

City officials tell KRMG that the City's portion of the tax would be extended by five to six months to make up for the lower percentage.

Mayor Dewey Bartlett says the agreement isn't perfect but is a good compromise.

“I have always maintained that an agreement with Tulsa County could be reached if leaders came together and put the citizens first,” Bartlett said. “ Since the County Commission began its initiative petition, we have pulled all the government officials together to discuss how we could agree upon proposals that are in the best interest of all of our taxpayers.”