Office of the Mayor
As the City enters the budget period for Fiscal Year 2011, we
will be working toward long-term efficiency for the City by
conducting performance reviews of our processes, practices and
organizational structures. In addition, there are four revenue
enhancement initiatives we will undertake:
- Local collection of sales tax: With the state budget cuts
affecting the Oklahoma Tax Commission's ability to audit and
collect sales taxes which have been collected by businesses, the
City will pursue legal or administrative changes that would need to
occur to assume this responsibility at the local level.
- Insurance payments for fire services: Many homeowner insurance
policies carry a provision which states that it will pay up to $500
for services made by a fire department when called to protect the
insured property. The city will pursue collection of this
revenue.
- Restructuring the use of the sinking fund: Current law
restricts the use of the sinking fund (funded by property taxes) to
paying only judgments and bond indebtedness. Legislation has been
introduced to allow cities to use this fund for operational
costs.
- Energy audits and energy performance contracting: With a
portion of the federal grant money received from the U.S.
Department of Energy, we will launch an energy efficiency
program.
You will see the City's administration work over the next four
years to partner with other government agencies as well as the
private sector to enhance services and revenues that will help
government create the best environment for businesses to grow.
Mayor Dewey F. Bartlett Jr.
Mayor Bartlett Discusses Budget on TGOV
