Annexation
Tulsa World
Letter to the Editor
4/20/2003
Former City Councilor Dewey Bartlett has
suggested that the City of Tulsa annex more of the surrounding area
to increase their tax base. With the city running short in the
budget department, this
may seem very appealing to the Mayor and the City Council, but it is
not actually a good idea.
With more territory will come more
responsibility. Any newly annexed land will expect the same
services the city provides other areas of town, including road
maintenance, utilities, sewers, and law enforcement. Thus,
while annexation will ensure a greater tax base, it will also mean a
proportionate increase in city expenses. The net result should be close to zero.
The only way to make it profitable is for the
city to skimp on its services to the new areas. I don't think
we should encourage the city to be irresponsible.
It is also likely that the people who live
outside the city limits don't want to be annexed and pay extra
taxes. After all, why did they originally choose not to live
within the city?
In the search for more city funds, we must not be
too zealous. Annexation won't solve the city's financial
problems.
Michael A. Clem, Tulsa
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