Oklahoma City budget adds 119 positions

By Rose Lane Editor

The Oklahoma City Council has accepted a $904.3 million budget which provides funding for an additional 119 positions, 64 of which are for the fire and police departments.

The 2024 budget includes funding for 5,108 full-time positions, which is an increase of 2.4% from FY2023. Many of the new positions are funded by resources outside of the general fund, such as the airports and utilities trust.

The OKC Fire Department is adding the largest number of positions — 50. They include six firefighters, four logistics positions and

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The Oklahoma Community Orchestra presented a special concert honoring Governor George Nigh’s legacy. Page 12

40 positions to supplement ambulance service provided by EMSA.

Fourteen civilian positions are being added to the Police Department. The positions include one Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) coordinator, three civilian DNA forensic scientists, two civilian computer forensic investigative specialists, one senior buyer, one financial services manager, two civilian community relations coordinators, two civilian digital media positions and two administrative positions.

In addition, the FY2024 police budget includes $1.1 million for the real-time information center.

Other departments and their additional positions are:

• Development Services, 5.

• Public Transportation and Parking, 21.

• Public Transportation and Parking Department, 16.

• Utilities, 17.

• Airports, 6.

• Information Technology, 8.

• City Manager's Office, 5.

• Task Force Recommendations, 3.

• Finance, 1.

• Municipal Counselors Office, 1 temporary.

• Parks and Recreation, 1.

• Planning, 2.

• Public Works, 4. Oklahoma City’s largest single source of revenue is sales tax, which pays for day-to-day services. Every

See BUDGET, Page 7