OKC tries to claim superiority on back of Tulsa's bickering government

[sgrizzle]

http://newsok.com/bickering-in-tulsa-makes-oklahoma-city-look-even-better/article/3483782

Hardly a week goes by that news out of Tulsa  doesn't make us all the more happy that our city government is run the way it is.

Oklahoma City has a weak-mayor system that leaves day-to-day business to the city manager, and we've been blessed with excellent ones through the years. The mayor serves as the face of the city, helping to steer issues but otherwise letting the city manager do the heavy lifting.

Our city council members advocate for their wards but also keep the entire city's best interests at heart. Their positions, like that of the mayor, are nonpartisan, which enhances collegiality. Bottom line: Our elected city officials tend to get along, and the city thrives.

Not so in Tulsa, where a strong-mayor system gives the mayor much of the clout and where races for mayor and city council are partisan. To say the two sides don't get along is putting it mildly. Kathy Taylor vowed to unify the city after being elected mayor in 2006. One flak-filled term was enough to send her packing.

Current Mayor Dewey Bartlett and his top aide are subjects of a council investigation into a federal police grant. The council faces a lawsuit over possible violations of the Open Records Act. Bartlett and council members lob verbal assaults at each other regularly.

"It's time for some leader to step forward and end the destructive City Hall bickering once and for all," the Tulsa World wrote in an editorial. Tulsans shouldn't hold your breath waiting for that to happen.

[Hoss]

http://newsok.com/bickering-in-tulsa-makes-oklahoma-city-look-even-better/article/3483782

Can't say that I disagree though.  Our local gubmint is broke.  It needs to be fixed.  Pronto.

[SXSW]

I have lived in OKC.  The city government works very well and you never hear any bickering going back and forth between the council and mayor.  Everything is about moving the city forward, and that is exactly what they have done.  In Tulsa it's the complete opposite and it's ruining this city.

[Conan71]

I have lived in OKC.  The city government works very well and you never hear any bickering going back and forth between the council and mayor.  Everything is about moving the city forward, and that is exactly what they have done.  In Tulsa it's the complete opposite and it's ruining this city.

Along those lines, my GF lives in Midwest City.  Her monthly utility bill to the city for water, sewer, stormwater and once a week trash service with a huge city-supplied bin is about $24 to $26.  She doesn't have curbside recycling but the drop off is conveniently close.

We use like amounts of water as we both live alone with one pet and no kids at home.  My COT bill is $42 to $46 (I participate in curbside recycling for the additional $2) and the COT is constantly grubbing for more money and eternally broke.

I'm curious what the difference is and whether or not people who live in OKC pay more for water and trash than those in MWC.  I just found it really interesting that a smaller municipality, with fewer residents to spread the costs to could charge almost 1/2 what Tulsa residents pay.

Anyone care to fill me in on why that is?

[RecycleMichael]

Midwest City water rates $5.25 for the first 2,000 gallons and $3.96 for each additional 1,000 gallons.
Tulsa water rates $4.20 (meter rate) and $2.36 per thousand gallons.

Midwest City sewer rates (based on winter average) $3.06 per thousand gallons water used.
Tulsa sewer rates (based on winter average) $3.56 per thousand gallons used.

Midwest City stormwater rates $1.25 per household per month.
Tulsa stormwater fees $5.43 per household per month

Midwest City refuse fees (once a week polycart service) $9.50 per month
Tulsa refuse fees (once a week polycart service) $10.52 per month

A house that uses 7,000 gallons of water per month in Midwest City would have a monthly bill of $57.22.
A house that uses 7,000 gallons of water per month in Tulsa would have a monthly bill of $61.59.

[Gaspar]

Midwest City water rates $5.25 for the first 2,000 gallons and $3.96 for each additional 1,000 gallons.
Tulsa water rates $4.20 (meter rate) and $2.36 per thousand gallons.

Midwest City sewer rates (based on winter average) $3.06 per thousand gallons water used.
Tulsa sewer rates (based on winter average) $3.56 per thousand gallons used.

Midwest City stormwater rates $1.25 per household per month.
Tulsa stormwater fees $5.43 per household per month

Midwest City refuse fees (once a week polycart service) $9.50 per month
Tulsa refuse fees (once a week polycart service) $10.52 per month

A house that uses 7,000 gallons of water per month in Midwest City would have a monthly bill of $57.22.
A house that uses 7,000 gallons of water per month in Tulsa would have a monthly bill of $61.59.

Midwest City is flat.
Tulsa is bumpy.

[patric]

Hardly a week goes by that news out of Tulsa  doesn't make us all the more happy that our city government is run the way it is.

That's the same city council that didnt hesiate to pay the legal fees for the bad cop that harassed and falsely arrested former OU quarterback Charles Thompson.  When the guy even admitted he came into the hotel room foul-mouthed and proceeded to seize drivers licenses from everyone painting banners for a game, chances are you are backing the wrong horse. 
Cost to taxpayers $50K plus the legal fees.

OKC's council has nothing to brag about.

[custosnox]

while our government has some obvious... problems,  it does seem that this whole article is nothing more than a "See? See? We are better than Tulsa!  We've been telling you all along we are, and here is our proof!"

[Conan71]

Midwest City water rates $5.25 for the first 2,000 gallons and $3.96 for each additional 1,000 gallons.
Tulsa water rates $4.20 (meter rate) and $2.36 per thousand gallons.

Midwest City sewer rates (based on winter average) $3.06 per thousand gallons water used.
Tulsa sewer rates (based on winter average) $3.56 per thousand gallons used.

Midwest City stormwater rates $1.25 per household per month.
Tulsa stormwater fees $5.43 per household per month

Midwest City refuse fees (once a week polycart service) $9.50 per month
Tulsa refuse fees (once a week polycart service) $10.52 per month

A house that uses 7,000 gallons of water per month in Midwest City would have a monthly bill of $57.22.
A house that uses 7,000 gallons of water per month in Tulsa would have a monthly bill of $61.59.

Interesting, your total math is just slightly dyslexic from a 7000 gallon bill I've got.  $61.95 was the total.

We also have "fixed fees" on water of $4.20 and $4.50 on sewer and the $3.64 EMSA fee.

I've made a mental note to myself to not water the lawn during winter months this year as they are calculating my sewer usage at 3000 gal a month which is a physical impossibility with one person as little as I'm home.

[DTowner]

I am not sure where I stand on the city manager v. strong mayor form of city government, but I would bet if you put some of Tulsa's recent, uh, more interesting councilors on the OKC council, then things might not seem so great in OKC city government.

[TheArtist]

  OKC does NOT, in no way, ever ever "look" better.  Dat is one butuuuuugly town. 

[SXSW]

 OKC does NOT, in no way, ever ever "look" better.  Dat is one butuuuuugly town.  

Disagree, maybe in 1996.  But while they may not have the hills we have, and their river is a ditch compared to the Arkansas, there are many very nice, attractive areas of OKC.  I really like their downtown area, and we don't have anything like Bricktown or Auto Alley.  The Lake Hefner area is another nice asset there.  OKC has also done a great job with its streetscape projects and that alone has jumpstarted development in areas like Auto Alley, Western, the Plaza District along NW 16, Paseo, NW 23, and Film Row downtown.  You can't deny that their public and private sectors have worked very well together to make it as nice as it is now.  If only Tulsa had the leaders they have we would probably have an NBA team and 56 story skyscraper going up downtown...

[Hoss]

Disagree, maybe in 1996.  But while they may not have the hills we have, and their river is a ditch compared to the Arkansas, there are many very nice, attractive areas of OKC.  I really like their downtown area, and we don't have anything like Bricktown or Auto Alley.  The Lake Hefner area is another nice asset there.  OKC has also done a great job with its streetscape projects and that alone has jumpstarted development in areas like Auto Alley, Western, the Plaza District along NW 16, Paseo, NW 23, and Film Row downtown.  You can't deny that their public and private sectors have worked very well together to make it as nice as it is now.  If only Tulsa had the leaders they have we would probably have an NBA team and 56 story skyscraper going up downtown...

Agree to disagree then, because I agree with William that it is.  I spent three years of my life on every other weekend visits there.

It's ugly.

Just because you have an NBA team doesn't give you a pass on being an ugly city.  Look at Detroit...

[Gaspar]

Agree to disagree then, because I agree with William that it is.  I spent three years of my life on every other weekend visits there.

It's ugly.

Just because you have an NBA team doesn't give you a pass on being an ugly city.  Look at Detroit...

OKC is ugly and that's hard to cure.  No rolling hills.  Few grand old trees. Lots of pavement staring up at you.  Dry wind that never stops.  Tulsa is the most beautiful city in this state.

[Conan71]

Disagree, maybe in 1996.  But while they may not have the hills we have, and their river is a ditch compared to the Arkansas, there are many very nice, attractive areas of OKC.  I really like their downtown area, and we don't have anything like Bricktown or Auto Alley.  The Lake Hefner area is another nice asset there.  OKC has also done a great job with its streetscape projects and that alone has jumpstarted development in areas like Auto Alley, Western, the Plaza District along NW 16, Paseo, NW 23, and Film Row downtown.  You can't deny that their public and private sectors have worked very well together to make it as nice as it is now.  If only Tulsa had the leaders they have we would probably have an NBA team and 56 story skyscraper going up downtown...

OKC doesn't have a lot of the natural charm Tulsa does and the sprawl is horrible.  BUT, I'll admit their public/private development is a whole lot less dysfunctional than ours.  I'm not as enamored with Bricktown as I used to be since Blue Dome, Brady, and greater downtown have really gotten moving the last few years.  I love the ditch, but the rower in me might be biased.