Budget Briefing: EMSA Wants Rate Hikes in Tulsa, Council Raises Water and Sewer Rates

Your end-of-the-week budget news rundown:

EMSA Asks Tulsa City Council for Rate Hikes – “But some councilors said Thursday that the increases should be considered only after EMSA undergoes the investigative audit that was prompted by the Tulsa World’s coverage of its billing and collections practices, travel expenses and possible conflicts of interest.” Tulsa World

Tulsa City Council Votes to Raise Water, Sewer Rates – “City councilors voted unanimously Thursday to increase water rates 7 percent and sewer rates 9 percent effective Oct. 1. Lauren Brookey, chairwoman of the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority, said after the meeting that the rate increases were necessary to “ensure the safety of our water and the sanitization of our sewage.” Tulsa World

Oklahoma Wheat Forecast Up 3 Percent From May – “The Oklahoma winter wheat production is forecast at 159.1 million bushels, up 3 percent from last month, and 126 percent above last year, according to the June Crop Production report issued by the USDA-NASS Oklahoma Field Office.” The Daily Ardmoreite

Oklahoma Congressional Candidate Operated Museum At Loss – “The candidate who’s challenging U.S. Rep. John Sullivan for his congressional seat operated the Tulsa Air and Space Museum at a near-$383,000 loss during his time as executive director. Republican Jim Bridenstine worked at the museum from December 2008 to August 2010 and says the loss was due largely to a multiyear campaign to lure one of the four retiring NASA space shuttles to Tulsa.” Associated Press