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Greetings:
During this challenging time when we at the City of Tulsa must reduce our budget, we have found a way to save the Early Settlement program, which has been housed in the City of Tulsa Municipal Court. The City of Tulsa has formed a partnership with state and county governments, and private contributions also will help support this program that has helped so many people.
Established since 1982, Early Settlement provides dispute resolution services to individuals through trained, volunteer mediators certified by the Oklahoma Supreme Court. With sessions usually lasting about an hour and requiring only a minimal $5 fee, Early Settlement mediation allows citizens to avoid the time and cost of litigation. In more than 80 percent of cases, both parties reach a lasting, mutually acceptable solution.
In order to save the Early Settlement Program from proposed budget cuts for Fiscal Year 2010, I immediately convened a Mayor's Emergency Task Force to analyze current and long-term funding options for the program. The program's immediate funding need of approximately $120,000 was needed in order to continue for the next fiscal year. That money now has been committed through public and private contributions, with the state, city and county sharing equally and additional private contributions closing the remaining gap.
A team comprising of Judge Jane Wiseman, Judge Rebecca Nightingale, Judge Linda Morrissey, Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith, Terry Simonson of Tulsa County, private attorneys Truman Rucker and Ned Dismukes, and a member of the Mayor's Management team was formed, and meetings were held weekly to address the funding issues.
As a result of the work of the Mayor's Task Force, the State of Oklahoma (through the Supreme Court) committed to continue making a contribution to the program of $30,000. The City of Tulsa agreed to match that amount, and Tulsa County followed with a $30,000 matching contribution. The remaining $30,000 has been committed by private organizations, individuals and non-profits through a special fund set up with the help of the Tulsa County Bar Foundation.The Task Force will continue to meet in the months ahead to address the issue of long term funding.
Preserving the Early Settlement program is an important example of what we in Tulsa, Tulsa County and Oklahoma can do when we work together to find creative solutions even with leaner budgets. It's a privilege to be your Mayor in our top-rated livable city.
Sincerely,
Kathy Taylor
Mayor