OKC VeloCity | OKC just approved a $1.9 billion budget for 2024. Here’s how the money will be spent
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OKC just approved a $1.9 billion budget for 2024. Here’s how the money will be spent

By Richard Hall / Economy / June 7, 2023

The Oklahoma City Council approved the city’s 2024 budget Tuesday, paving the way for $904.3 million in day-to-day operations funding and for hiring 119 new full-time employees.

A little more than $1 billion in non-operating funds will be spent on multiyear capital projects. In total, the $1.9 billion budget is a 1.8% increase over 2023’s budget.

The 2024 budget goes into effect July 1.

What are the highlights of OKC’s 2024 budget?

  • Airports: City airports will add six positions to their workforce, including a system support specialist to help with the increased workload from the Will Rogers Terminal Expansion.
  • Better Streets, Safer City: About $83 million of the budget will be allocated for the program to make Oklahoma City friendlier to pedestrians and bicyclists.
  • Fire Department: An additional 50 positions will be made available, including six firefighters and 40 employees to help supplement EMSA’s ambulance service.
  • MAPS: MAPS 3 projects are budgeted at $45.7 million and MAPS 4 projects will see $225.3 million in FY 2024
  • Police Department: A Crisis Intervention Team coordinator is one of the 14 civilian positions the department will add. Others include DNS forensic scientists, digital media positions and community relations coordinators. The budget also includes funding of $1.1 million to put towards a real-time information center.
  • Public Transportation and Parking: The department will add 22 new positions, 16 of which will focus on repair and maintenance of the new Bus Rapid Transit line.
  • Utilities: The department will add 17 new positions, including a payroll coordinator, environmental technicians and two water service technicians.

How is OKC’s annual budget funded?

Sales tax is the city’s largest source of revenue. The city receives 4.125% of taxable sales made in OKC or from online purchases made by OKC residents. The city’s General Fund gets 2.25% of that, which funds things like police and fire departments.

Property taxes also contribute to the budget. The city uses the money to fund bond projects like Better Streets, Safer Cities.

Tax collected on hotel room stays is dedicated to tourism development and capital improvements at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds.

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