NORMAN -- City residents will be asked to pass a five-year, half-cent sales tax to fund more police and firefighters, bolster a sagging reserve fund and set aside money for economic development incentives.
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In an 8 to 1 vote Tuesday, the council approved calling the election Aug. 22. If approved, the sales tax would replace a half-cent sales tax that expires Sept. 30.
Councilman Bob Thompson voted against the election because he wanted the city to ask voters for a permanent half-cent sales tax.
"I can't see a time when we won't need that money. I believe it should be a permanent tax because staffing is a permanent project," Thompson said.
He said he did not agree with Councilwoman Cindy Rosenthal that part of the money raised by the tax be used for economic development incentives.
At a June 27 council meeting, council members will vote on a resolution that outlines how to spend the half-cent sales tax money.
Rosenthal has proposed funding more police, firefighters and other essential staff positions. She also wants a portion earmarked for an emergency reserve fund and another portion -- up to $1 million annually -- used for economic development incentives.
A half-cent sales tax would raise about $6 million a year, city Finance Director Anthony Francisco said.
Councilman Richard Stawicki said the half-cent sales tax was needed to boost city finances until its tax revenue base increases.
The "seeds of growth" are in a newly formed tax increment financing district on Norman's north side, Stawicki said. Retail development in the district will "pay off" down the road, he said.
"We can't wait five years to increase out police force. When I joined the council in 2000, I heard then how undermanned our police force was, and that has only gotten worse," Stawicki said.
Crime is inching up in Norman, Councilman Doug Cubberley said.
"There are those who look at Norman as a place to hide and stay, while other areas are pushing those kinds of people out. Do we wait until there is a full-blown crisis to do anything about it?" Cubberley asked.
In other business Tuesday night, the council approved a budget that tops $130 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
The $130 million-plus budget includes capital improvements and a general fund of about $49.2 million.
The general fund pays for most government operations. This year's general fund is about $800,000 less than last year's operating budget, City Manager Brad Gambill said.
Six vacant staff positions were eliminated to account for about $600,000 in savings, Gambill said.
"The end (of staff cuts) is not in sight," Cubberley said. "The public needs to know we are in trouble."
Population has increased while city staffing continues to decrease, Cubberley said.
"This means we are running the city short of police, fire, code enforcement officers, accountants, planners and street maintenance crews. We don't have enough money to provide the community with the services it expects," Cubberley said.
The half-cent sales tax being proposed will help but will not solve the city's long-range financial problems, Cubberley said.
Cubberley said he supports economic development incentives because "economic development is what will grow the (revenue) pie. A better way to grow the pie is to provide jobs, good jobs, for the residents of our community."
