Budget and Financial Records
Balancing the budget at the City of Tulsa is
not much different than balancing a budget at home. The money going
out must not exceed the money coming in. State law requires the
City of Tulsa to have a balanced budget.
The City of Tulsa receives its money from several major
sources, including five local taxes: sales tax, use tax, franchise
tax/right-of-way user fees from utility companies, hotel/motel tax,
and ad valorem tax. Other sources include enterprise revenues from
airport charges, golf course fees, and utility services - water,
sewer, refuse and stormwater. The City also obtains revenue from
licenses and permits, culture and recreation facilities, municipal
court fines, public safety fees, interest earnings, federal grants
and shared revenue from state government.
Perhaps the most familiar sources of City of Tulsa funding are
the ones for which elections are held every few years. These
include General Obligation Bond Issues (2005) and extensions of the
Third Penny Sales Tax (2001 | 2006 |
2008 Fix Our Streets).
Both of these sources are used exclusively to construct capital
improvements like roads, bridges, sanitary sewer improvements,
flood control funding, and other critical needs identified by
citizens, the Mayor and Council.
The City of Tulsa uses its money to provide services in the
following areas: public safety and protection, public works and
transportation, cultural development and recreation, economic
development and administrative support services.
