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Oklahoma County orders benefit staff back to offices; MIS to keep current hybrid arrangement with reporting
Summary
Following the governor's executive order, the committee directed county benefit employees to return to the office by Feb. 1 and approved continued hybrid arrangements for MIS staff tied to space constraints, requiring quarterly reporting on exceptions.
The Policy & Governance Committee directed Oklahoma County benefit employees to return to in‑office schedules by Feb. 1 and allowed MIS staff to maintain existing hybrid or remote work arrangements for the near term, provided county IT submits a written report on staffing locations and justifications.
Why it matters: The directive follows Governor Stitt’s executive order 2024-29 and the Board’s prior adoption of that order. Committee members balanced the governor’s directive with operational needs in the county’s IT department, which reported physical workspace limitations and service‑delivery considerations.
Dane, the county IT director, described space constraints for MIS: "Right now, our data center is measured out and rated for 19 people. We have 25. So you're talking about 6 people that would have to find space..." He also explained the practical effect of keeping technicians geographically dispersed: close proximity to courthouse yards, the sheriff’s facilities and other off‑site operations improves response time.
The committee agreed that exceptions to in‑office requirements are allowable where the executive order and county policy permit them. Staff were instructed to produce an initial report by email before Feb. 1 listing current MIS employee locations and the operational justifications for any remote or hybrid arrangements, and to submit a quarterly exceptions report to Policy & Governance.
Action taken: On motion, the committee approved: (a) benefit staff must return to office by Feb. 1, 2025; and (b) MIS staff may continue current arrangements pending the requested reports. The motion passed on voice vote.
Ending: The committee requires the IT director to supply an initial location and justification report before Feb. 1 and quarterly updates thereafter. Committee members emphasized response time as a key consideration in any future decision about centralizing IT staff.
