Oklahoma City officials said last week that additional budgetary cuts may be needed as sales tax collections continue to be less than what was expected. City Manager Jim Couch told department heads to expect midyear adjustments of about 1.25 percent. [Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman Archives]

City Manager Jim Couch has ordered department heads to prepare for midyear budget cuts of 1.25 percent in response to persistently slow sales tax collections in Oklahoma City.

Couch said in a memo dated Sept. 13 that the reductions would amount to $4.5 million.

The memo followed word that sales tax collections for the September reporting period were off 5.8 percent from the same time last year.

Couch warned further reductions may be required for fiscal 2018.