Commissioners frustrated with OKC City Council over Oklahoma County Jail site request
OKLAHOMA COUNTY (KFOR) - Oklahoma County Commissioners are expressing their frustration with the OKC City Council as they wait for officials to either approve or reject the rezoning plans to build the new Oklahoma County Jail at East Grand Boulevard and Southeast 15th Street.
“We tried to be partners with them. We've worked together with them and now it's time for them to act to get the ball rolling. Quit kicking the can down the road,” said Myles Davidson, Oklahoma County Commissioner, District 3.
On Wednesday, all three Oklahoma County Commissioners stood as a united front urging OKC City Council officials to quickly vote on the rezoning request at the chosen jail site. They say they are stuck and need to move forward whether that means continuing with the site commissioners chose or going back to the drawing board.
“It hasn't been a united choice. It is a united collective effort between the three of us that we want the city to act and act as most expeditiously as possible because of what's at stake,” said Brian Maughan, Oklahoma County Commissioner, District 2.
Oklahoma County Commissioners say the county is at risk of losing bond funds and $50 million in ARPA funds, so they stress it is essential the OKC City Council votes in a timely manner.
“We have this money set aside for a behavioral health center that we really do not want to lose,” said Carrie Blumert, Oklahoma County Commissioner, District 1.
Commissioners also say the city has already put them behind after they waited several months for the city to deny their original request to build the jail near Will Rodgers World Airport.
“You have to have the money in hand before you go make an offer. And we've waited a year now. And that's not just because of this site. It was for several months waiting on the city to act on the airport land. And that's kind of who put us in this position now where we're sort of behind the eight ball,” said Maughan.
Commissioners say they feel city councilmembers are stalling the process because of the huge opposition towards the site.
“They've seen how difficult it was for us to vote on it and everything that's happened around it. So, yeah, I think it's one of those things that they don't want to take up. And we need them to take it up and we need them to lead and do the right thing,” said Davidson.
In the meantime, the commissioners are doing what they can to move forward on the chosen jail site property. They’ve started drilling on the land and they are also drilling at other proposed sites as well.
“They're the same sites that we've looked at before. We're not ready to say what those are yet, but there are other sites, and we are still moving forward,” said Davidson.
Meanwhile, Del City officials are preparing to sue Oklahoma County if or when the site on Grand and 15th is purchased.
“Our goal is not to go to court. Our goal is to work this out with Oklahoma County. We are part of Oklahoma County. They've been wonderful partners in the past. We don't want to see anything happen. But if we do, if we're going to court, we need a litigator ready to fight for Del City,” said J.D. Hock, city manager for Del City.
Oklahoma County Commissioners say they are not allowed to comment on the lawsuit.
KFOR reached out to the City of Oklahoma City for a comment. A spokesperson told us, “A special permit application for the proposed Oklahoma County jail facility was filed with the City of Oklahoma City on Thursday, March 14. We are required to mail notices to property owners within 300 feet of the proposed special permit boundary at least 20 days before the Planning Commission meeting. We are moving the request through the process. We will send another statement when we have hearing dates for the Planning Commission and City Council meetings.”