Oklahoma City's Financial Future Looking Up

Oklahoma City leaders said due to a brighter financial future, departments should not see any cuts for the time being.

Tuesday, January 25th 2011, 7:06 pm

By: News 9

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City leaders said due to a brighter financial future, departments should not see any cuts for the time being.

The city's sales tax revenue is up 14.5 percent, which has leaders breathing a sigh of relief.

Oklahoma City Manager Craig Freeman said they're trying to be conservative in planning next year's budget. Right now they're using a couple of temporary sources of income. About $8 million from the Maps 3 tax fund is being used to pay for 100 police and fire positions. Another $2 million of recovery act funds is being used to pay for some services.

Officials plan to find a way to pay for the police and firefighter positions without depending on the Maps 3 money next year.