Proposed Oklahoma City budget shows staff reductions and hope for a growth in sales tax

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — A recently submitted budget proposal for the City of Oklahoma City shows a reduction in 16 staff positions while the city remains hopeful that income from sales tax will grow in the next year.

The proposal, submitted May 2 to the Oklahoma City Council, comes in at $1.38 billion. The proposed budget, which helps pay for day-to-day city services, has been reduced two percent down to $404.5 million. City Manager Jim Couch says the reduction is due to a continued decline in sales tax revenue. The .3 percent staff reduction will bring Oklahoma City down to 4,644 employees.

“With this proposed budget we have tried to balance the fiscal realities of a smaller budget with the need to meet growth in our population and higher expectations from residents,” Couch said.

Of the budget, public safety takes up 64 percent of the costs. Public services take up over 17 percent of the budget followed by culture and recreation at 9.6 percent and general government at 8.5 percent.

Sales tax remains Oklahoma City's largest source of revenue. The city has projected a sales tax growth of 8.5 percent.

The budget will be presented during the May 9, 23 and June 6 City Council meetings. The budget is scheduled for adoption on June 13. The fiscal year begins July 1.