By FOX23.com News Staff
TULSA, Okla. — Mayor Monroe Nichols presented the city’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget to the Tulsa City Council on Wednesday.
The $1.22 billion proposal includes $443.7 million for the general fund, which supports day-to-day operations. City officials said the plan emphasizes fiscal responsibility while investing in neighborhood improvements, public safety, and the city’s workforce.
“This budget is about aligning our resources with clarity, consistency, and accountability with the priorities of our residents,” Mayor Nichols said. “It invests in the people, services, and infrastructure that will make Tulsa a safer, stronger, and more resilient city, and I’m proud of the entire team at the City for helping put this year’s proposal together. I’m eager to discuss this budget proposal in further detail with my colleagues on the City Council in the weeks ahead as we work to advance the needs of the community.”
A key component of the proposal is a one-time funding approach that would use the remaining 2016 Vision Tulsa funds over multiple years to address priority needs. City officials said all projects tied to the 2016 package are funded or committed, leaving about $103 million available for one-time use, along with 15% of ongoing tax collections, or about $12 million annually.
The city said those funds could help cover gaps in major projects, including the public safety center, support downtown planning efforts, continue homelessness initiatives such as Safe Move Tulsa, address neighborhood needs and invest in economic development.
The budget also includes funding to expand Tulsa Animal Services, with nine new positions aimed at improving response times and supporting a new shelter expected to open later this summer.
Additional proposals include adding four positions to reduce code enforcement backlogs, with a goal of cutting response times for some cases from more than three months to less than 30 days within a year.
Quality-of-life investments include installing nearly 1,200 neighborhood lights in targeted areas, continued funding for parks and maintenance, $16 million for street and transportation projects, and $19.5 million for housing initiatives.
The plan continues funding for Safe Move Tulsa, which the city said has helped house more than 100 people and close encampments.
Officials said the FY27 budget reduces reliance on one-time funds by $5.1 million. To balance the budget while maintaining current service levels, the city froze 45 positions.
The proposal also includes utility rate increases to support infrastructure and rising costs. The average residential customer would see an increase of about $5.82 per month, including a 7% increase for water, 4.7% for sewer, 7% for stormwater, and 4% for refuse and recycling. Officials said the adjustments were approved by the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority and the Tulsa Authority for the Recovery of Energy.
Residents enrolled in EMSAcare will not see changes to that portion of their bill.
The City Council will review the proposal in the coming weeks.
You can view the full budget by clicking here.
You can watch Mayor Nichols’ full budget presentation here.
