An audit of Tulsa’s city budget may point to more problems ahead.
Last night FOX23 told you about the agreement between city leaders and union members to cut costs after months of negotiations.
AFSCME president Bill Roland along with the police and firefighter union presidents came to an agreement with city leaders concerning budget cuts in those departments. Some will take 8 furlough days or cuts in benefits.
There are still plenty of questions. Roland says, “There are a lot of things going on I’d really like to find the answers to.”
The unions ordered an audit of the city’s expenses and revenue during the past five years. That audit reports an increase in revenue of more than 31% during the past five years.
The audit also reports, the city outspent that increase in revenue. The increase in expenses went up more than 33%.
In 2008, the same audit shows the city set a record for expenditures in 2008.
Roland says, “Things cannot continue going the way they’ve been going and have this city survive.”
Roland also says he’s seen some of the problems. He says, “I’ve seen the hiring of people when there’s a hiring freeze and the creating of positions when the budget is broke.”
Recently, FOX23 discovered there are a number of city expenses including outside contracts with legal offices, artwork, plants, and parking. Those expenses total in the thousands of dollars and some believe those expenses are not necessary.
Roland says the unions are more than willing to work with the city when economic times are tough, but he wants the city to work on more responsible spending. He says, “That kind of stuff has got to be stopped.”
