Increasing Utility Rates

[patric]

quote:
"Utility rate increases proposed in Mayor Kathy Taylor's budget have caught the attention of several of the new city councilors, who aren't sure whether they will support the hikes. "
http://www.tulsaworld.com/newsStory.asp?ID=060506_Ne_A13_Counc15120

Oh, Snap!  What a shocker...
Here's the letter I sent to the Council, supporting their cautious stance:
 

quote:
It's not surprising to find that the majority of Tulsans would be in favor of making the most of our existing revenue than asking for more,
but the challenge will be in putting realistic proposals on the plate.

From researching wasteful municipal lighting practices in Tulsa, I can find no legitimate reason we couldnt trim a few million dollars annually by following in the footsteps of cities like Calgary, who simply switched to more efficient street lighting.

You can review their program at:
http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/BU/roads/streetlights/pamphlet.pdf

And their website is at:
http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_104_0_0_35/http%3B/content.calgary.ca/CCA/City+Hall/Business+Units/Roads/Street+Lights/FAQ.htm

One major step would be to require all new publicly-funded street lighting be of an energy efficient design, in keeping with the City of
Tulsa Energy Policy.  States such as Texas and Connecticut have for years required that publicly-funded lighting meet an efficiency
standard, and it is within the authority of the City Council to have such fixtures added to the joint Public Works - AEP/PSO list of
"approved fixtures".

A moratorium on so-called "Acorn" nostalgic streetlights -- which are only about 30% efficient at lighting the street and must be installed in greater quantities -- would certainly be in order as well.
Such fixtures produce more glare and uplight than useful light, and are an obscene waste of tax dollars.

There are many alternatives to Acorns that are both energy efficient and still provide an attractive "historic" appearance, but they arent being considered by Public Works or AEP.  The Council does have the authority to break this impasse, and require all new installations be compliant with the city energy policy.

While this wont address the whole budget, it does represent a very visible part of municipal waste, and could possibly represent enough tax
savings to keep a few more pools open or police academies funded.