Wagoner County approves submission of TSET grant for sheriff’s Family Health and Safety Center with expanded budget

The Wagoner County Board of County Commissioners on Monday approved submission of a TSET legacy grant application to fund a proposed Wagoner County Family Health and Safety Center, and voted to increase the project request to $5.5 million to add contingency for construction and technology.

Gabrielle Perry, the county’s grant administrator, told commissioners the TSET notice of funding opportunity lists a $3 million minimum and that the county’s proposed budget had been prepared with input from law-enforcement and health partners. The application covers property acquisition or renovation, construction, equipment and staffing for a facility Perry described as “approximately 12,000 to 15,000 square feet” and designed to centralize victim services, medical-forensic exams, evidence storage and a cybersecurity/forensics room.

“The new facility will span approximately 12,000 to 15,000 square feet and be located either on newly acquired land or renovated county-owned property, pending feasibility analysis and county bid process,” Perry said. She described components the grant would fund, including a dedicated SANE exam suite with restroom and shower, digital crime lab and climate-controlled evidence storage.

Undersheriff Mark Seacrest told commissioners the project would allow the sheriff’s office to consolidate staff and evidence storage that are currently housed in multiple county locations, and to move staff out of a temporary North Annex into a permanent facility.

Commissioners stressed the speed of the application: Perry said the grant had a quick turnaround and the application was due the coming Friday. After discussion about scope and technology costs, the board directed staff to increase the application total by $1 million to provide additional contingency and technology funding. Commissioner James moved to approve the submission with the revised $5.5 million request; Commissioner Randy seconded. A roll call recorded Commissioner Stamps and Commissioner Hanning voting “Aye.”

Perry said the county would seek additional grants — including a possible Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) cybersecurity-related grant — to fund specialized technology and cybersecurity equipment, and that some matching or in‑kind contributions could strengthen an application. The board approved submission of the TSET legacy grant application so staff could meet the funding deadline; the county will follow standard bid and feasibility processes if awarded funds.