Claremore penny for police and fire

[RecycleMichael]

Somebody explain to me again why Claremore can do this but Tulsa and Oklahoma City can't?

http://www.fox23.com/content/flashplayer-localnews/story.aspx?content_id=ecf2830d-1023-47a4-9ef3-609ee394b6d4

City's safety could depend on voters
 Reported by: Kathy Kuretich

(CLAREMORE, Okla.) September 10 – Claremore city officials want to renew a one-cent sales tax that benefits the police and fire departments. Claremore resident Joe Tucker says he knows a thing or two about the value of having reliable police and fire departments.  "There was a wreck and the fire department's been out to our house for a vehicle fire." Today that fire department is extending its CPR training with money used from the sales tax. "We're on the verge of explosion." Claremore Fire Chief Mark Dowler says Claremore is growing rapidly, tripling the number of EMS calls they've received in the last few years.  "That's a lot of what we do and that's a lot of what the expense is, on EMS supplies."

The same is true for police, who worry what will happen if the tax is not approved.  "That our ability to function on the level that we currently provide will be greatly jeopardized", says Assistant Police Chief Stan Brown.

Thanks to the sales tax, they've equipped half of their police cars with digital cameras, getting every stop on tape.  "It not only helps to prosecute, but it helps to decrease liability with respect to potential lawsuits", says Brown. Which they say saves tax dollars in the long run.  Not everyone is voting yes, but Joe Tucker says for him a well-trained police and fire department is money well spent.  "It's a continuing tax, it's not going to cost us anything more... so it's a good thing that we keep it going and continue to fund it just like we always have."

City leaders say you should go to your normal precinct to vote tomorrow, polls open at 7 o'clock in the morning. The sales tax has been in place since 1972.  Annually, it gives police and fire departments more than $600,000 dollars each.

Please find us a legislator who will fix this.

[MH2010]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

Somebody explain to me again why Claremore can do this but Tulsa and Oklahoma City can't?

http://www.fox23.com/content/flashplayer-localnews/story.aspx?content_id=ecf2830d-1023-47a4-9ef3-609ee394b6d4

City's safety could depend on voters
 Reported by: Kathy Kuretich

(CLAREMORE, Okla.) September 10 – Claremore city officials want to renew a one-cent sales tax that benefits the police and fire departments. Claremore resident Joe Tucker says he knows a thing or two about the value of having reliable police and fire departments.  "There was a wreck and the fire department's been out to our house for a vehicle fire." Today that fire department is extending its CPR training with money used from the sales tax. "We're on the verge of explosion." Claremore Fire Chief Mark Dowler says Claremore is growing rapidly, tripling the number of EMS calls they've received in the last few years.  "That's a lot of what we do and that's a lot of what the expense is, on EMS supplies."

The same is true for police, who worry what will happen if the tax is not approved.  "That our ability to function on the level that we currently provide will be greatly jeopardized", says Assistant Police Chief Stan Brown.

Thanks to the sales tax, they've equipped half of their police cars with digital cameras, getting every stop on tape.  "It not only helps to prosecute, but it helps to decrease liability with respect to potential lawsuits", says Brown. Which they say saves tax dollars in the long run.  Not everyone is voting yes, but Joe Tucker says for him a well-trained police and fire department is money well spent.  "It's a continuing tax, it's not going to cost us anything more... so it's a good thing that we keep it going and continue to fund it just like we always have."

City leaders say you should go to your normal precinct to vote tomorrow, polls open at 7 o'clock in the morning. The sales tax has been in place since 1972.  Annually, it gives police and fire departments more than $600,000 dollars each.

Please find us a legislator who will fix this.

OKC has a sales tax dedicated to public safety. The city of Tulsa could too but it's leaders choose not to.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by MH2010

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

Somebody explain to me again why Claremore can do this but Tulsa and Oklahoma City can't?

http://www.fox23.com/content/flashplayer-localnews/story.aspx?content_id=ecf2830d-1023-47a4-9ef3-609ee394b6d4

City's safety could depend on voters
 Reported by: Kathy Kuretich

(CLAREMORE, Okla.) September 10 – Claremore city officials want to renew a one-cent sales tax that benefits the police and fire departments. Claremore resident Joe Tucker says he knows a thing or two about the value of having reliable police and fire departments.  "There was a wreck and the fire department's been out to our house for a vehicle fire." Today that fire department is extending its CPR training with money used from the sales tax. "We're on the verge of explosion." Claremore Fire Chief Mark Dowler says Claremore is growing rapidly, tripling the number of EMS calls they've received in the last few years.  "That's a lot of what we do and that's a lot of what the expense is, on EMS supplies."

The same is true for police, who worry what will happen if the tax is not approved.  "That our ability to function on the level that we currently provide will be greatly jeopardized", says Assistant Police Chief Stan Brown.

Thanks to the sales tax, they've equipped half of their police cars with digital cameras, getting every stop on tape.  "It not only helps to prosecute, but it helps to decrease liability with respect to potential lawsuits", says Brown. Which they say saves tax dollars in the long run.  Not everyone is voting yes, but Joe Tucker says for him a well-trained police and fire department is money well spent.  "It's a continuing tax, it's not going to cost us anything more... so it's a good thing that we keep it going and continue to fund it just like we always have."

City leaders say you should go to your normal precinct to vote tomorrow, polls open at 7 o'clock in the morning. The sales tax has been in place since 1972.  Annually, it gives police and fire departments more than $600,000 dollars each.

Please find us a legislator who will fix this.

OKC has a sales tax dedicated to public safety. The city of Tulsa could too but it's leaders choose not to.

yes, because we have to build little pedestrian bridges across our river so we can go stare at a refinery!

I hope you are telling all your buddies down at the station to vote NO to the river tax.

[cannon_fodder]

inteller, not everything is a tied to the River Plan.  Our fire and police are already funded by property taxes and added general fund money as I understand it.  More money usually does not solve any perceived problem.

and of course the Fire/Police chief is always going to say they need more money and more personnel.  Without fail a bureaucrat (or union rep) will claim they need more.  If they get more, they still need more.

It looks like Claremore has decided to largely fund their forces with sales tax, Tulsa has chosen other funding.

[sgrizzle]

You could changed the river tax to .483 instead of .4 (making sales tax an even number) and extend it  to an even 10 years and you would generate an extra $200M (or more) that could be used to pay for roads, public safety, whatever.

[Rico]

quote:Originally posted by recyclemichael

Somebody explain to me again why Claremore can do this but Tulsa and Oklahoma City can't?

http://www.fox23.com/content/flashplayer-localnews/story.aspx?content_id=ecf2830d-1023-47a4-9ef3-609ee394b6d4

City's safety could depend on voters
 Reported by: Kathy Kuretich

(CLAREMORE, Okla.) September 10 � Claremore city officials want to renew a one-cent sales tax that benefits the police and fire departments. Claremore resident Joe Tucker says he knows a thing or two about the value of having reliable police and fire departments.  ï¿½There was a wreck and the fire department's been out to our house for a vehicle fire.� Today that fire department is extending its CPR training with money used from the sales tax. �We�re on the verge of explosion.� Claremore Fire Chief Mark Dowler says Claremore is growing rapidly, tripling the number of EMS calls they've received in the last few years.  ï¿½That�s a lot of what we do and that�s a lot of what the expense is, on EMS supplies.�

The same is true for police, who worry what will happen if the tax is not approved.  ï¿½That our ability to function on the level that we currently provide will be greatly jeopardized�, says Assistant Police Chief Stan Brown.

Thanks to the sales tax, they've equipped half of their police cars with digital cameras, getting every stop on tape.  ï¿½It not only helps to prosecute, but it helps to decrease liability with respect to potential lawsuits�, says Brown. Which they say saves tax dollars in the long run.  Not everyone is voting yes, but Joe Tucker says for him a well-trained police and fire department is money well spent.  ï¿½It�s a continuing tax, it�s not going to cost us anything more� so it�s a good thing that we keep it going and continue to fund it just like we always have."

City leaders say you should go to your normal precinct to vote tomorrow, polls open at 7 o�clock in the morning. The sales tax has been in place since 1972.  Annually, it gives police and fire departments more than $600,000 dollars each.

Please find us a legislator who will fix this.

Place this item on a ballot and I will gladly vote for it... As long as the money is not spent elsewhere...

Public safety is unrelated to aesthetic improvements...?

Bull....!

When individuals are at the river are the little pink bicycles going to keep them safe.?

[TeeDub]

You also note that their fire department are their first responders.

Maybe people in small towns have more trust..   They don't have to see their tax dollars funneled into the pockets of private companies (EMSA?)

[OkieDiva]

"Maybe people in small towns have more trust.. They don't have to see their tax dollars funneled into the pockets of private companies (EMSA?)"

EMSA is not a private company. EMSA is a government trust authority, essentially an extension of the City of Tulsa and City of OKC governments, created by a public trust indenture, and charged with the task of ensuring cities served by EMSA get high-quality care and cities get the most cost-efficient solution. To do this, EMSA contracts with a private company and oversees all aspects of service the private company provides. The private company has contractual standards they must meet (like response times specified in city ordinances and other service standards), or else the private company is fined by the authority. Not delivering the expected standard is expensive for the private company - they can profit only by meeting service standards and by being efficient. And because the private company is chosen by competitive bid process, EMSA and the City pay the lowest possible cost in addition to receiving the required level of care. Without independent oversight, an agency might very valiantly attempt to meet certain standards, but there is no strong financial incentive or other "hammer" that will ensure performance. (When have you ever heard of a City department or private company imposing fines upon itself?). The value of EMSA was proven this past fall, when a committee composed of city officials, representatives from EMSA and the Tulsa Fire Department, and community experts found that EMSA could provide high-quality EMS care at a more affordable price than any other taker.

To sum up, EMSA is a public agency but does contract with a private company. This partnering is a good thing - the private company isn't given anything, they must earn it; the public agency ensures that the private company is performing up to snuff, holds them accountable if they don't and conducts other necessary duties unrelated to direct patient care.

Several "small towns" see the widsom in this model... Sand Springs, Bixby, Jenks, The Village, Yukon, Bethany to name a few.

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by OkieDiva

"Maybe people in small towns have more trust.. They don't have to see their tax dollars funneled into the pockets of private companies (EMSA?)"

EMSA is not a private company. EMSA is a government trust authority, essentially an extension of the City of Tulsa and City of OKC governments, created by a public trust indenture, and charged with the task of ensuring cities served by EMSA get high-quality care and cities get the most cost-efficient solution. To do this, EMSA contracts with a private company and oversees all aspects of service the private company provides. The private company has contractual standards they must meet (like response times specified in city ordinances and other service standards), or else the private company is fined by the authority. Not delivering the expected standard is expensive for the private company - they can profit only by meeting service standards and by being efficient. And because the private company is chosen by competitive bid process, EMSA and the City pay the lowest possible cost in addition to receiving the required level of care. Without independent oversight, an agency might very valiantly attempt to meet certain standards, but there is no strong financial incentive or other "hammer" that will ensure performance. (When have you ever heard of a City department or private company imposing fines upon itself?). The value of EMSA was proven this past fall, when a committee composed of city officials, representatives from EMSA and the Tulsa Fire Department, and community experts found that EMSA could provide high-quality EMS care at a more affordable price than any other taker.

To sum up, EMSA is a public agency but does contract with a private company. This partnering is a good thing - the private company isn't given anything, they must earn it; the public agency ensures that the private company is performing up to snuff, holds them accountable if they don't and conducts other necessary duties unrelated to direct patient care.

Several "small towns" see the widsom in this model... Sand Springs, Bixby, Jenks, The Village, Yukon, Bethany to name a few.

Anyone notice that Claremore's 1-cent TEMPORARY tax has been around since 1972?

There are NO temporary taxes.

[jne]

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

quote:Originally posted by OkieDiva

"Maybe people in small towns have more trust.. They don't have to see their tax dollars funneled into the pockets of private companies (EMSA?)"

EMSA is not a private company. EMSA is a government trust authority, essentially an extension of the City of Tulsa and City of OKC governments, created by a public trust indenture, and charged with the task of ensuring cities served by EMSA get high-quality care and cities get the most cost-efficient solution. To do this, EMSA contracts with a private company and oversees all aspects of service the private company provides. The private company has contractual standards they must meet (like response times specified in city ordinances and other service standards), or else the private company is fined by the authority. Not delivering the expected standard is expensive for the private company - they can profit only by meeting service standards and by being efficient. And because the private company is chosen by competitive bid process, EMSA and the City pay the lowest possible cost in addition to receiving the required level of care. Without independent oversight, an agency might very valiantly attempt to meet certain standards, but there is no strong financial incentive or other "hammer" that will ensure performance. (When have you ever heard of a City department or private company imposing fines upon itself?). The value of EMSA was proven this past fall, when a committee composed of city officials, representatives from EMSA and the Tulsa Fire Department, and community experts found that EMSA could provide high-quality EMS care at a more affordable price than any other taker.

To sum up, EMSA is a public agency but does contract with a private company. This partnering is a good thing - the private company isn't given anything, they must earn it; the public agency ensures that the private company is performing up to snuff, holds them accountable if they don't and conducts other necessary duties unrelated to direct patient care.

Several "small towns" see the widsom in this model... Sand Springs, Bixby, Jenks, The Village, Yukon, Bethany to name a few.

Anyone notice that Claremore's 1-cent TEMPORARY tax has been around since 1972?

There are NO temporary taxes.

There are also no free lunches...

[MichaelBates]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

inteller, not everything is a tied to the River Plan.  Our fire and police are already funded by property taxes and added general fund money as I understand it.  More money usually does not solve any perceived problem.

and of course the Fire/Police chief is always going to say they need more money and more personnel.  Without fail a bureaucrat (or union rep) will claim they need more.  If they get more, they still need more.

It looks like Claremore has decided to largely fund their forces with sales tax, Tulsa has chosen other funding.

No, operation of Tulsa's police and fire services is funded entirely by the first two pennies of the sales tax, with some third penny money paying for rolling stock and facilities.

As far as I know, the only property tax money involved with the police department goes to the city's sinking fund to pay off the Arvin McGee judgement.

Conceivably, general obligation bond issue money (paid by property tax) could be used to build police and fire stations, but could not be used for payroll, rolling stock, computers, etc.

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by jne

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

quote:Originally posted by OkieDiva

"Maybe people in small towns have more trust.. They don't have to see their tax dollars funneled into the pockets of private companies (EMSA?)"

EMSA is not a private company. EMSA is a government trust authority, essentially an extension of the City of Tulsa and City of OKC governments, created by a public trust indenture, and charged with the task of ensuring cities served by EMSA get high-quality care and cities get the most cost-efficient solution. To do this, EMSA contracts with a private company and oversees all aspects of service the private company provides. The private company has contractual standards they must meet (like response times specified in city ordinances and other service standards), or else the private company is fined by the authority. Not delivering the expected standard is expensive for the private company - they can profit only by meeting service standards and by being efficient. And because the private company is chosen by competitive bid process, EMSA and the City pay the lowest possible cost in addition to receiving the required level of care. Without independent oversight, an agency might very valiantly attempt to meet certain standards, but there is no strong financial incentive or other "hammer" that will ensure performance. (When have you ever heard of a City department or private company imposing fines upon itself?). The value of EMSA was proven this past fall, when a committee composed of city officials, representatives from EMSA and the Tulsa Fire Department, and community experts found that EMSA could provide high-quality EMS care at a more affordable price than any other taker.

To sum up, EMSA is a public agency but does contract with a private company. This partnering is a good thing - the private company isn't given anything, they must earn it; the public agency ensures that the private company is performing up to snuff, holds them accountable if they don't and conducts other necessary duties unrelated to direct patient care.

Several "small towns" see the widsom in this model... Sand Springs, Bixby, Jenks, The Village, Yukon, Bethany to name a few.

Anyone notice that Claremore's 1-cent TEMPORARY tax has been around since 1972?

There are NO temporary taxes.

There are also no free lunches...

And, there are DEFINITELY no Temporary Taxes....