Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tulsa public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
15 issues in taxes budget with low priority
Surplus sale at Air Force Plant 3
A 10-acre city parcel at 2020 N. Mingo will be sold to a longtime lessee exercising a 2002 purchase option, at an appraised $1.74 million; proceeds go to facility maintenance.
Surplus sale of 9415 S. Yale Ave.
The infamous half-built mansion on Yale, a homeless refuge and vandalism magnet for a decade, may be converted to a high-end office — a rare case where neighbors spoke in favor.
Crybaby Hill statue storage and site costs keep mounting
Storage costs for the contested statue hit $22,500 for the year, plus two geotechnical studies totaling about $15,000, and the committee expects more information at its September meeting if the dispute isn't resolved with city legal.
Shelter meeting frequency reduction
The commission wants to cut back from monthly to twice-quarterly meetings starting 2027, since the major shelter-building work is done. Legal will confirm whether a cancelled meeting violates the ordinance's 'shall hold' language.
Freedom Fest police cost waiver
River Parks wants the city to waive $17,213.25 in police labor costs for the July 4th Freedom Fest. Moving fireworks off the 21st Street bridge already cut the bill from about $30,000.
Dissolution of two tax increment districts
One TIF district died quietly — the Admiral Place outlet mall never got built and collected nothing for a decade. The other, downtown's Increment District No. 10, succeeded, hitting its $5 million cap early, with excess money going back to schools and other taxing entities.
Affordable Housing Trust Fund administration fee restructuring
TAO will now charge a flat 4% administrative fee on affordable housing trust fund work instead of a tiered 1%-plus-3% structure, simplifying administration for the city attorney's office.
TAO office expansion to 11th floor
Partner Tulsa's staff has outgrown its 7th-floor offices; the board approved a lease amendment moving it upstairs to 6,222 square feet at the same rent, at no moving cost, because co-tenant Six needs the space to grow.
Tourism Improvement District Hotel Assessment
Hotels with 110 or more rooms pay 3% of gross revenue annually to fund tourism marketing that brings visitors — and their spending — to Tulsa. A public hearing on the assessment roll is set for July 15.
Right-of-way occupancy fee increase
Utility companies occupying city right-of-way would pay slightly higher fees starting July 1, raising about $4,500 a year total to cover the city's costs of managing that space.
Veterans' education retirement buyback legislation
Dr. Rogers, a Navy veteran and educator, is pushing state legislation to let veteran educators buy back retirement time at their military-era salary rather than their current one — a bill that passed committee last session but was gutted. Councilors Bengel and Gilbert offered support.
Cash rounding after the penny's retirement
With the federal government retiring the penny, Tulsa passed an ordinance letting cash transactions round to the nearest five cents, with exceptions spelled out.
Council salary indexing
A proposal to tie council pay to Tulsa's area median income rather than the national CPI, making raises reflect local living costs.
Charter amendment selection process
The council is gearing up to pick charter amendments for the ballot, with a slate vote April 1. They added extra public hearings on February 11 and 25 so residents can pitch ideas early — and the utility board redundancy fix is already on the candidate list.
Electric vehicle fleet transition costs
A federal grant lets the city swap ten aging gas trucks for electric SUVs at roughly $28,000 per vehicle in local match. Councilor Archie flagged that maintenance contracts and charging infrastructure upkeep aren't covered and departments will need to budget for them.