Mayor presents budget featuring hiring freeze, budget cuts

Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett presented his proposed budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year to the City Council during the Tuesday morning special meeting of the council.

The new budget projects only a three percent increase in sales tax revenues, meaning the city has what amounts to a flat budget going into the next fiscal year.

The budget does avoid any cuts to public safety including police and fire personnel, but doesn't provide for any additional positions.

A hiring freeze will continue and no raises will be available for city workers.

Each non-sworn department was ordered to reduce its budget by 3 percent.

Along with flagging sales tax revenues, the city will have to deal with some $3.1 million in federal grants for police and fire that are expiring.

One possible source of revenue: The mayor will ask for an increase in water and sewer rates.

The total general fund requested would be $267.1 million, a two percent reduction from FY 2013.