Comment on Oklahoma City plans for slow growth in 2015-16

William Crum [img url=https://blog.newsok.com/dittocontent/uploads/sites/18/2015/05/Oklahoma-City-2015-16-Proposed-Budget.jpg]3657776[/img] City manager Jim Couch says his 2015-16 budget proposal balances the likelihood of slower growth against population increases and residents’ rising expectations of government. Couch is proposing a record $1.248 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The city’s workforce would grow by 71 positions to 4,743, a 1.5 percent increase, Doug Dowler, the city’s budget director, told the city council Tuesday. Included are positions for 20 police officers and six civilian police employees. The city also will hire 21 firefighters early next year so they are trained and ready when a new fire station opens in late 2016 in southeast Oklahoma City. Just under three of every four new positions is related to public safety.Read more on NewsOK.com