Even though Norman City Councilman Doug Cubberley reported Tuesday evening during council's regular meeting that sales tax collections were up for the first time in several months -- by a scant 0.8 percent -- he still felt compelled to warn of potentially harsher times to come.
Cubberley said that city staff has been working "for months" on reducing expenditures, including the realization of nearly $400,000 in fuel savings as gas prices plunged in the last year. He also claimed the City of Norman has "a lean staff" when compared with similar cities.
Despite this, the attorney and chair of the Finance Committee offered an ominous warning as he discussed looming budget cuts Tuesday evening at City Hall.
"There's going to be some pain coming forward," Cubberley said, without elaborating. "We know we're coming into a challenging year."
Finance Director Anthony Francisco said he took the news of February's sales tax check -- which increased for first time in about a year -- like he does every other check.
"It was up," Francisco said. "But I don't get too excited about one check.
"Whether it's up or down, I don't make too much of it."
The City of Norman is under a "smart" hiring freeze and city staff has been working to come up with $1.5 million to cope with a budget shortfall for the fiscal year ending June 30, City Manager Steve Lewis said last week. He said the city already has identified about $1 million in savings for the current fiscal year, but how to reconcile the remaining balance remains to be seen.
Francisco said last week that no layoff plans are in place "at this time," but didn't rule out job cuts in the future.
Council members and staff will discuss what can be done to save about $500,000 in a budget retreat today.
Andrew Knittle 366-3540 aknittle@normantranscript.com
Local news
City's sales tax collections up, but mood remains dark
- Local news
-
-
Glenn Lewis still Moore’s mayor
Incumbents held strong sway in the Moore Municipal election. Mayor Glenn Lewis soundly defeated challenger Brandy Hill taking 75 percent of the vote and winning 4,223 to Hill’s 1,396. Ward 1 council incumbent David Roberts also had a ...
-
County numbers similar to state’s
Three times more Cleveland County Republicans voted in the Presidential Primary than Cleveland County Democrats. It came as no surprise that Barack Obama dominated the Oklahoma Democratic Presidential Primary with 55 percent of the ...
-
Norman discusses 2060 strategic water supply plan
One of the biggest challenges facing Norman in coming years is the water supply. Of concern is the quality and quantity of the drinking water supply....
-
Noble soldier Allen McKenna Jr. laid to rest
PURCELL — Staff Sgt. Allen “Robby” Bingenheimer McKenna Jr. was laid to rest amid bright tropical flowers and colorfully dressed family members Tuesday afternoon....
-
County promotes health initiatives
On Tuesday, the Cleveland County Turning Point Coalition discussed a five-year plan to improve the health of local residents....
-
Public meeting on Lindsey project
A Public Forum will provide information and allow for public feedback on the proposed Lindsey Street Project at 6 p.m. on March 15 at Sooner Legends Inn and Suites, in the Sooner Room, located at 1200 24th Avenue SW, on the southwest ...
-
Museum to celebrate women’s accomplishments
The Sam Noble Museum has partnered with Alpha Sigma Kappa and the SciGirls of Alcott and Irving middle schools in Norman to celebrate women’s accomplishments during Women in Science Day, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Sam ...
-
OU celebrates Ewing Fellowship Program
The University of Oklahoma’s Department of Political Science recognized the 2012 recipients of the Cortez A.M. Ewing Public Service Fellowship at a reception Saturday at the home of Rosemary Knapp and Richard Broughton, of OU’s zoology ...
-
County prepares items for auction
The Board of County Commissioners held a brief meeting on Monday, clocking in at only six minutes....
-
Super Tuesday comes to Oklahoma
Polls will be open today from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m for the Presidential Preferential Primary Election and the city of Moore Municipal Primary Election. The Cleveland County Election Board has stayed busy this week with a high volume of ...
- More Local news Headlines
-
