Oklahoma County approves planning funds; finance staff presents FY25-26 revenue outlook

Oklahoma County commissioners approved transfers and appropriations to fund work on a countywide master plan and heard a presentation of general fund revenue projections for fiscal year 2025–26.

Albert, a county finance department staff member, told the board the county's projected general fund balance for FY2025–26 is $17,366,502 and that total sources available would be about $138,000,002.65. He said year-to-date collections exceed budgeted revenue by roughly $7,000,002.73 and walked commissioners through comparisons between the amended FY2024–25 budget, year-to-date collections and the FY2025–26 estimates.

The revenue presentation provided context for two planning-related funding items on the agenda: a transfer from general fund reserves to support the county's master plan and a cash-fund appropriation to move previously approved funds into a special revenue account.

Eric, a Planning Department staff member, told the board the master-plan contract will be about $210,000 and that the county is paying the majority of that cost. "We're paying a hundred and $60,000 of that out of our own funds that we collect," Eric said. He said the county paused earlier master-plan work because of a large Turnpike project and to wait for 2020 census data; he estimated the new plan will take about 18 months to two years to finish.

Commissioners discussed timing and funding. Commissioner Lowe asked whether the county or the Planning Commission should pay and whether the county should wait to fund the work. Eric and other staff said the county is paying most costs and that waiting could leave the county without guidance as development accelerates on the east side of the county after the Turnpike project.

The board approved the following measures by voice vote:

- A motion to approve the consent agenda (single item), which passed unanimously by voice vote.

- An appointment motion to name Carrie Hudson as primary representative of the county clerk's office to the BET and Christina Booth as alternate; the motion passed by voice vote.

- A resolution to transfer $50,000 from the general fund reserve to the Planning Commission to support the county master plan; the motion received a motion and second and was approved by voice vote (individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript).

- A cash-fund appropriation to move $124,300 for planning (including $50,000 into the special revenue account) as a follow-up step to a prior budget-board action; the board approved the appropriation by voice vote.

Board members also made brief remarks: one commissioner thanked residents who attended a ceremonial swearing-in; another asked the public to keep a county clerk's family in their prayers. There were no public-comment slips recorded in the meeting record provided.

The board did not take formal action on policies beyond the funding and appointments described above. Staff emphasized that the master plan is intended to guide future development, protect water resources and set standards related to wastewater systems. Eric said the county had begun outreach as early as 2013, paused work during a Turnpike land-use review and waited for updated census data before restarting the process.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (single item): approved (voice vote). - Appointment: Carrie Hudson (primary, county clerk's office to BET) and Christina Booth (alternate): approved (voice vote). - Resolution (transfer from general fund reserve to Planning Commission for master plan): approved (voice vote); noted contract ~ $210,000; county paying ~$160,000. - Cash-fund appropriation for planning ($124,300 total, including $50,000 moving to special revenue): approved (voice vote).