Property taxes could fund public safety under bill

A Senate panel on Wednesday passed a measure that could lead to the use of property tax revenue to fund police, firefighters and jails.

The Senate Appropriations Committee passed House Bill 1374 by a vote of 24-17, as a large contingent from Tulsa watched at the Capitol. The measure moves to the full Senate.

The measure would let cities ask voters to create public safety districts, which then would levy an annual assessment of no greater than 5 mills. The increased property tax revenue could be used to purchase public safety equipment, to pay salaries and benefits of city employees who provide law enforcement or fire protection and to fund jails.

A millage is an assessment in dollars per 1,000 of assessed value, said John Wright, chief deputy for the Tulsa County assessor’s office. The owner of a $150,000 home in Tulsa County could expect to pay $82.50 more a year under an additional 5 mills, Wright said.

If voters approved a levy, it would apply to senior citizens who have a freeze on increases in their property values, which would result in additional taxes, Wright said. The assessment would not apply to property zoned for agricultural or industrial use. It also would not apply to personal property owned by for-profit business entities.

The House author of the bill, Rep. Weldon Watson, R-Tulsa, said internet sales and a depressed economy have cut into sales tax revenue, leaving municipalities with less money to fund services.

Members of the group from Tulsa said the measure could ease those problems.

Terry Simonson, director of governmental and community affairs for the Tulsa County sheriff’s office, called the measure’s passage historic. He said cities have had to rely too much on sales tax revenue.

Funds raised through property taxes provide a less volatile source than sales tax revenue, Tulsa Deputy Mayor Michael Junk said.

Tulsa Police Department Deputy Chief Dennis Larsen said his agency strongly supports the measure. He said constituents need to contact those who voted against the measure.

According to the bill, the public safety district could be dissolved by a vote of the people called by the governing body of the municipality.

The issue would have to be put on a general election ballot, Watson said.