The hiring freeze continues for the city of Oklahoma City as its revenue stream drops.About 70 public safety positions will not be filled.Police Chief Bill Citty is losing $3.2 million next year from his more than $200 million budget.“Money for those 48 additional officers is being taken out of our budget for now for next year,” Citty said, adding it could also impact special project areas.“It’s going to impact the overtime somewhat of not being able to put additional officers in high crime areas to a certain extent.”The Oklahoma City Fire Department will also see a $2.6 million cut from its $143 million budget.Deputy Chief Chris Goodwin said the department is overstaffed and things are looking good for this year.“We’re not hiring 21 positions for Fire Station 29 that we were considering building. That’s one of the things, and we’re making other cuts in the department,” Goodwin said.Citty and Goodwin said while they can sustain the cuts this year, they don’t want to face further cuts next year.“We hope the economy turns around and things are better,” Goodwin said.“If this continues, if the downturn continues into the year after that, it could impact us more significantly,” Citty said.

The hiring freeze continues for the city of Oklahoma City as its revenue stream drops.

About 70 public safety positions will not be filled.


Police Chief Bill Citty is losing $3.2 million next year from his more than $200 million budget.

“Money for those 48 additional officers is being taken out of our budget for now for next year,” Citty said, adding it could also impact special project areas.

“It’s going to impact the overtime somewhat of not being able to put additional officers in high crime areas to a certain extent.”

The Oklahoma City Fire Department will also see a $2.6 million cut from its $143 million budget.

Deputy Chief Chris Goodwin said the department is overstaffed and things are looking good for this year.

“We’re not hiring 21 positions for Fire Station 29 that we were considering building. That’s one of the things, and we’re making other cuts in the department,” Goodwin said.

Citty and Goodwin said while they can sustain the cuts this year, they don’t want to face further cuts next year.

“We hope the economy turns around and things are better,” Goodwin said.

“If this continues, if the downturn continues into the year after that, it could impact us more significantly,” Citty said.