Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sales Tax And Capital Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sales Tax Overview Committee reports small revenue shortfall, updates on parks and arts projects
Summary
The Sales Tax Overview Committee reported a slight revenue shortfall for January and provided status updates on projects funded by the 2016 and 2020 sales tax packages, including Fred Johnson Park, the Vision Arts program and Williams Crossing warranties.
Ashley Webb, chair of the Sales Tax Overview Committee, told the Tulsa City Council the city's sales tax revenues had dipped slightly below estimates for January and year-to-date.
"For the month of January, we're about $66,000 beneath the estimated revenues, and for the year, we're about $200,000 beneath the estimated revenues," Webb said. She described revenue trends as "a little up and down" and said the 2016 and 2020 sales tax program revenues were currently "a smidge below" the adopted budget estimates for those programs.
Webb highlighted several capital projects funded through the sales tax programs. She said the Public School Safety First initiative had reached final punch-list stage on Jan. 10. A new heliport for the Tulsa Police Department is slated for a ribbon-cutting in May, according to Webb's report, and the Vision Arts Tulsa Arts Commission program is entering its sixth year as a $2.25 million, 15-year vision extension project; 45 applications were received and award decisions were expected by March, with awards usable after July 1.
Webb provided cost and schedule details for parks projects. Fred Johnson Park is a planned $8,125,000 project with construction slated to start in January 2026 and a target completion in fall 2026. Chamberlain Park's pool excavation is underway and a sewer line to the recreation center is expected to be completed by April. Webb also described warranty coverage for lighting installed as part of the Williams Crossing pedestrian bridge project; multiple lighting elements have warranties extending into 2027 and one category of lights until December 2028.
The committee report prompted no extended council debate; councilors thanked Webb and committee members for the update and asked about possible renaming of the committee to include "use" taxes, a matter Webb said could be directed to the council for consideration.
The committee report included attendance by vice chair Kathy Siebert and noted the committee had provided a written status report to the council in advance of the meeting.
