City's Sales Tax Collections Down Again

Tulsa's sales collections declined 11.4 percent from the previous year, according to the preliminary report from the Oklahoma Tax Commission.  

Sales tax collections from mid-November to mid-December totaled $16,978,329, down from $19,170,192 for the same month last year, the report said.

The collections are in line with the most recent revised revenue projections, said Mayor Dewey Bartlett.

“The continued decline in sales tax confirms the financial crisis the city budget is in, and indicates that we are on the right track with a plan to reduce the general fund expenses by $8 million to $10 million, which would carry over into FY 2011,” Bartlett said.  “We have asked for scenarios from each department to reduce expenses by 2.2 percent and 4.4 percent. It appears we are looking at the larger end of that range.”

Barlett received revised proprosals for reductions from the Fire and Police departments this week. He will use those proposals to finalize a comprehensive budget plan this month.

The city has has reported 10 consecutive months of sales tax collection declines, including seven months of declines averaging at least 11.25 percent.