The Oklahoma City Council received the City Manager’s proposed $1.26 billion budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year Tuesday.

The General Fund budget, which pays for most day-to-day City services, is proposed at $414.2 million – a 4.9 percent decrease from the amended 2015-16 fiscal year budget. The decrease is primarily due to lower sales tax revenue.

The proposed budget includes a new crime scene investigator position among additions in the Police Department, along with three new positions in Transportation & Parking and two new positions in Utilities Forty-eight vacant uniformed Police Department positions and 21 vacant uniformed Fire Department positions will remain vacant and unfunded, but will receive priority for funding if revenues improve. Total City positions will decrease 0.9 percent to 4,699 with a reduction of 44 positions.

“With this proposed budget we have tried to balance the fiscal realities of a smaller budget with the need to meet growth in our population and higher expectations from residents,” City Manager James D. Couch said. “We are working every day to meet the expectations of our residents and businesses to make Oklahoma City a great place to live, work and play.”

Public safety makes up 64.4 percent of the general fund, followed by public services at 17.1 percent, culture and recreation at 9.8 percent and general government at 8.7 percent.

Sales tax is the largest single source of revenue for the City, making up 58 percent of operating revenue. For FY 2017, the City is projecting sales tax growth of 1 percent.

Budget presentations will be made during the May 10, May 24 and June 7 City Council meetings. Residents will have the opportunity to address the Council about the budget during those meetings. The budget is scheduled for adoption June 14, and the City’s new fiscal year begins July 1. 

The budget is guided by feedback received from a resident survey conducted by the City annually. Information from the survey also helps the City Council set priorities. Those priorities are:
    • Provide a safe and secure community
    • Maintain strong financial management
    • Promote thriving neighborhoods
    • Develop a transportation system that works for all citizens
    • Enhance recreation opportunities and community health and wellness
    • Support high quality public education

You can review the budget book (PDF) online.

The budget sessions are aired live on City Channel 20 and the City’s YouTube channel, where the videos are then posted for viewing.

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Media Contact
Kristy Yager
(405) 297-2550 / (405) 863-2831
kristy.yager@okc.gov