Kevin Boggs



Q&A

  1. A recent presentation by a city councilor showed Tulsa's overall police and fire budget has grown more than three times above the rate of inflation over the last 40 years without adding manpower in at least the last decade. It has been described as "unsustainable growth" with the city's current level of revenue. How would you propose to address this situation?
  2. I believe we should allow those persons who have at least 48 class hours and 2 years of experience as a military police officer, deputy/sheriff or police officer experience from another city to apply to the Tulsa police academy. We would still require a bachelor’s degree but would allow up to 3 years to obtain the 84 class hours required and up to 5 years to obtain a bachelor’s degree. The apprentice entry pay scale would be adjusted accordingly and yet provide Tulsa with the needed officers while reducing overall costs of salaries through retirement and attrition. And these officers still would get to the top pay scale as with other officers once they have completed their degree.
  3. Over the last several years, controversy between the City Council and mayor's administration has triggered discussions about changing from the current strong mayor- council form of government to a city manager-council form of government and about having Tulsa's elected offices be non-partisan. Would you support either of these ideas? Why or why not?
  4. Yes, I would support a form of City Manager type of government with a provision that the Mayor has direct oversight to that position. I believe that the elected City Council members should also have the voting oversight to hire and fire a City Manager with a majority vote of 6 out of the 9 councilors. This system would provide checks and balances for the City Manager, Mayor and the City Council.
  5. Improving mass transit (i.e. additional bus service, rail lines, etc.) has been a major topic of discussion through the city's ongoing PlaniTulsa comprehensive planning process. Do you believe Tulsa's public transportation system needs improvement? Please explain.
  6. Public transportation does need improvement. We should also look to various types of rail services being in Tulsa’s future. We need to look at Tulsa’s current trends of population growth and address the transportation issues before those particular areas become over-developed, over populated and heavily congested. If we tackle these problems now, there will be less interference with traffic and reduced congestion and cost to do such projects. Public access and right-of-way improvements can only help Tulsa’s growth.
  7. What would be your top three priorities if you are elected?
  8. A. Restore lost wages of city employees caused by the current city furloughs.

    B. Quality development for all areas of Tulsa.

    C. Safer streets to also include outreaches to the youth needing help with education, job skill training and counseling to deal with life skills.