By Hear the Council Debate:
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwgs/local-kwgs-878549.mp3
Tulsa, OK – The 4th floor meeting room is packed at Tulsa City Hall as members of the City Council get input on a proposal to reduce the number of upper and middle managers in the Police and Fire Departments.
Tulsa Police Chief Ron Palmer says the $3.4 million in proposed cuts would "gut" the Tulsa Police Department. He says the department would be at 1980 staffing levels while trying to fight 2010 crime rates. He called it "unacceptable".
District One Councilor Jack Henderson said it is time to Tulsa to consider a public safety tax to fund police and fire operations.
The city is short of revenue because of a drop in sales tax collections brought on by the recession.