OKC CIVIC LIFE

By the numbers: Amnesty, election

City revenue outlook darkens

Oklahoma City may be seeing the first indications that oil-field reductions are negatively affecting city revenue. After a 10.2% drop in November, use tax was up only 0.4% in December, bringing an abrupt halt to a string of strong yearover-year monthly gains — as recently as October, use tax was up 15.4%. Use tax is paid on goods, often machinery, purchased elsewhere and brought into the state. Use tax brought in just under $7 million in December.

Of note: Late autumn consumer sentiment remained strong, with retailers collecting $40.8 million in sales tax, up 3.8%. Budget Director Doug Dowler said budget officials will review the impact of oil-and-gas industry weakness as they begin preparing for fiscal 2021.

They said it

“It's a crying need in parks to have a fixed source of revenue for programming, operations, maintenance, and this would answer that question.”

— Former Ward 4 Councilman Pete White, a leader of the coalition to pass a one-eighth cent sales tax dedicated to Parks and Recreation. The city council last week set a March 3 election on the initiative measure. White thanked the mayor for his cooperation in getting the measure on the ballot so quickly and said, “If you look at what we're asking to do you'll find it to be very transformative in terms of our parks operations.”

SE OKC's Station 29 opens

Former Ward 4 Councilman Pete White was the first “customer” of the new Fire Station 29 in far southeast Oklahoma City, when his greenhouse caught fire about 3 a.m. Dec. 14. Dignitaries held the ceremony dedicating Station 29 last Monday, but the department had put it into service four days earlier. While on the council, White advocated long and hard to get the new station open and staffed. “The Fire Department couldn't have been nicer about watching me cry as my favorite place in the world burned to the ground,” White said.

Terror threat draws attention

A law enforcement summary of policing at the 2019 State Fair notes shortcomings in preparedness amid an increasing risk of mass casualty incidents. State Fair officials received the report within the last few weeks and will be getting together with the Emergency Medical Services Authority and Oklahoma City police to come up with improvement plans, said Scott Munz, the Fair's spokesman. Among the report's observations and recommendations:

• Bags, backpacks and packages were not checked at entrance gates: “Having a bag check could improve safety.”

• The medical treatment area is insufficient; supplies of tourniquets, gauze and pressure bandages were inadequate.

• Law officers lacked access to gear that could be needed, such as rifles, shields and tactical vehicles.

Of note: The assessment says the 2019 Fair went well from a law enforcement perspective. The 272 calls for service “were typical;” about 15 people were arrested, most for misdemeanors. About 900,000 people attended the Fair.

City sets holiday hours

Oklahoma City offices, the animal shelter, the household hazardous waste facility, recreation centers, senior centers and gyms will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday for Christmas. Other holiday hours:

• Embark buses on regular schedule Tuesday, weekend schedule Wednesday.

• OKC Streetcar on regular schedule Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

• Regular trash and recycling pickup Tuesday.

• 652: Cases resolved so far under terms of the Municipal Court's amnesty program. Low-level offenders who missed court dates can pay a reduced fine, or have fines excused if they cannot pay. Councilman Mark Stonecipher said the amnesty window remains open until March 31.

• $177,435,23: Amount paid by the city for election boards in Oklahoma, Cleveland, Canadian and Pottawatomie counties to conduct the Dec. 10 MAPS 4 election.

Present/absent

Mayor David Holt and the eight city council members attended last week's meeting.

Calendar

The city council meets at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 7 at City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave. Meetings are open to the public.

• Dec. 31: The regularly scheduled city council meeting is canceled.

• Dec. 31: 33rd annual “Opening Night” downtown; Thunder hosts Dallas that evening.

Staff writer William Crum Twitter: @williamcrum wcrum@oklahoman.com