Council receives proposed budget for fiscal year 2008-2009

(May 7, 2008) - The City Council received the city manager’s proposed FY 2008-09 budget of  $788.7 million on Tuesday.  The General Fund budget, which pays for most day-to-day City services, is proposed at $348.6 million – a 1.3 percent increase from the FY 07-08 amended budget.

“This budget continues the City’s commitment to providing quality core services to our citizens and managing their investment in our infrastructure to ensure the results they expect,” Finance Director Laura Johnson said.

The City’s largest revenue source, sales tax, slowed in FY 2008 after several years of exceptional growth.  This below normal growth and the anticipated growth in expenditures have limited the City’s ability to increase services.  Fuel costs, maintenance contracts for new public safety technologies, transit and personnel related costs account for most of the growth in expenditures.

Public safety makes up the largest part of the budget, comprising 53 percent of the total operating budget and 64 percent of the General Fund budget.

The proposed budget includes 30 new positions.  Most of the new jobs will serve the Airports and Utility Departments and will be funded through enterprise revenues.  General fund positions were also added to provide project management for General Obligation bond projects, construction of the new NBA practice facility and improvements to the Ford Center.

The Council will meet as the Finance Committee on May 13, 27 and June 10 to hear department presentations.  Council will hold a public hearing and vote on the proposed budget June 10.  The City’s fiscal year begins July 1.

The proposed FY 2008-09 City budget can be found on the City Web site, www.okc.gov.