TULSA - As city leaders sift through Tulsa's proposed $764 million budget for next year, some are concerned about the impact to the 911 call center.
The city is expecting to eliminate 15 positions leaving some wondering if delays at 911 are only going to get worse.
Just a few weeks ago, voters overwhelmingly approved the Vision Tulsa Public Safety Tax that would create additional positions for emergency crews.
Now the possible $8 million hit to next year's general fund could cause cuts to those same agencies.
“You can pretend that you're increasing with this new tax money, when in fact, all you're doing is going back to the previous level,” said local government blogger Michael Bates.
Bates says eliminating positions that will ultimately be recreated by Vision taxes in 2017 is unfair to the voter.
“The overall service level for 911 is not going to go up at all, yet we're going to be paying more taxes,” he said.
The City of Tulsa says the 15 positions have been vacant for two years, so they say 911 callers wouldn't be affected.
City Councilor Karen Gilbert says they already are.
“It's disappointing to me to take away those fifteen positions, when citizens that feel their life is in jeopardy are calling 911 and their call is still being put on hold,” said Gilbert.
Directors say 911 hold times are 1-2 minutes at the longest. But those hold times are already decreasing. Terry O'Malley says the center is doing away with its human switchboard system next month.
“Rarely will they be transferred,” he said. “I'm going to say about 80% of the calls are for law. They will stay within a law call taker. Anyone who needs fire or medical will be transferred.”
The city hopes to reinstate at least eight positions by January.
Gilbert says she'll keep working to keep Vision Tulsa as it was intended – to increase emergency services.
“I'm going to do everything that I can to find the funding on those 15 positions taken care of,” she said. “We're not doing much of a service to improve.”
“You have to be skeptical, be careful and pay attention to details,” said Bates.
The city council has until June 30th to improve the budget before the beginning of the new fiscal year.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
