Tulsa City Councilor to Recuse Herself from Library Property Sale

Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper has ties to the not-for-profit group bidding on the old Rudisill Regional Library building.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:58pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A photorealistic painting of an old, two-story brick library building with large windows, set against a backdrop of trees and a cloudy sky. The building is bathed in warm, golden light, creating deep shadows and a sense of quiet contemplation.The vacant Rudisill Regional Library building stands as a symbol of the need for clearer conflict of interest policies in Tulsa's city government.Today in Tulsa

Tulsa City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper has announced she will recuse herself from the city council's vote on the sale of the old Rudisill Regional Library building. This comes after it was revealed that Hall-Harper is listed as the registered agent for the not-for-profit organization that is bidding to purchase the property.

Why it matters

The potential conflict of interest raises questions about transparency and fairness in the city's property sale process. As an elected official, Councilor Hall-Harper's recusal is an important step to maintain public trust, but it also highlights the need for clearer rules around council members' outside business interests.

The details

The old Rudisill Regional Library building has been vacant for several years since the library relocated to a new facility. The city is now looking to sell the property, and a local not-for-profit organization has submitted a bid to purchase it. However, records show that Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper is listed as the registered agent for this not-for-profit group, creating a potential conflict of interest.

  • The old Rudisill Regional Library building has been vacant for several years.
  • The city of Tulsa is now seeking to sell the property.
  • A not-for-profit organization has submitted a bid to purchase the building.
  • Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper is listed as the registered agent for the bidding not-for-profit group.

The players

Vanessa Hall-Harper

A Tulsa City Councilor who is recusing herself from the vote on the sale of the old Rudisill Regional Library building due to her ties to the bidding not-for-profit organization.

Rudisill Regional Library

A former library branch in Tulsa that has been vacant since the library relocated to a new facility.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The city council will vote on the sale of the old Rudisill Regional Library building in the coming weeks, with Councilor Hall-Harper abstaining from the vote.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the need for stronger conflict of interest policies for elected officials in Tulsa to ensure transparency and fairness in city property transactions and other decisions.