The Norman Transcript

Several of the opponents of this week's city sales tax election publicly said they were in favor of additional police and fire positions but wanted the expenditures spelled out on their ballot.

They will get their chance but it probably won't happen until next spring at the earliest. Some members of the Norman City Council have said privately they don't want to bring it back up until they've had time to properly digest the results and get a detailed projection on fire and police needs.

The digesting part may be the toughest. Norman voters spoke loudly Tuesday. The sales tax extension was defeated by a nearly 68 percent majority. More than 14,000 voters cast ballots. A sales tax measure in Newcastle was turned down, too. Moore voters will get their chance to decide on additional sales tax in November's General Election.

The economic development part of Norman's half-cent extension was also criticized. We're convinced there are folks who voted against the tax who are truly supportive of investing public money in projects and initiatives that will broaden Norman's economic base and support existing businesses through additional training.

Norman already invests in the three-party Norman Economic Development Coalition with the Chamber of Commerce membership and the University of Oklahoma. Its investment is minuscule compared to the city's budget and the amounts spent by other municipalities.

Norman's municipal budget will survive this year but officials say the next fiscal year will be tougher, with continued increases expected in health care costs, fuel and other expenses.

Part of the half-cent extension was to be dedicated to the reserve fund which has dipped below 1 percent of the city's budget. Council members say they would like to have an 8 percent cushion, noting a major storm could cost the city millions in cleanup expenses.