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County advances operator search for 60‑bed behavioral health center; funding and equipment questions remain
Summary
County staff reported three responses to the operator solicitation for a 60‑bed behavioral health center and said interviews and award are expected early next year, but commissioners asked whether selected operators will charge for early design/ equipment work and how operations will be funded.
Oklahoma County staff told commissioners on Oct. 7 that three responses were received to the solicitation for an operator of the county’s planned 60‑bed behavioral health center and that the evaluation committee will move to interviews with the goal of selecting an operator by early next year.
The request described the facility as a 60‑bed center — generally anticipated as 40 male beds and 20 female beds in planning documents — and asked respondents to describe how they would operate the facility and identify potential revenue sources such as Medicaid or other billable services. County staff said one respondent submitted rough pricing; two did not provide dollar estimates at the RFI stage.
Commissioners and staff discussed whether a selected operator would be asked to advise the construction manager on medical equipment and whether any such pre‑opening consultations would create additional county costs. County staff and commissioners said the county’s construction manager and design team had requested operator input to finalize some equipment selections; it was not clear from the Oct. 7 session whether the operator would charge for that pre‑opening work or whether those costs would be part of the construction contract or covered by ARPA/other project funds.
Why it matters: The center is intended to divert people with behavioral health needs from jail and provide medically appropriate care, but its operating model and startup funding remain unresolved. Commissioners emphasized the need to identify concrete revenue sources before committing to operating costs and suggested recurring agenda review as the RFP and interviews proceed.
County staff asked the board to leave the matter on future agendas for updates; commissioners agreed to defer formal decisions about operational funding until interviews and proposals provide clearer cost and revenue information.
Ending: The evaluation committee will review responses, schedule interviews and return to the board with additional detail; county staff said an award is targeted for early next year.
