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Rogers County approves short-term lease with SafeNet Services for Higgins Building at $1,000 a month
Summary
The Rogers County commissioners voted to lease the Higgins Building at 417 West First Street to SafeNet Services Inc. at $1,000 per month, starting July 1, while staff and the county attorney finalize small repairs and signage required by the Attorney General—s office and the fire marshal.
Rogers County commissioners voted to lease the county-owned Higgins Building, 417 West First Street, to SafeNet Services Inc. for $1,000 per month beginning July 1, after agreeing to minor repairs and cleaning before occupancy.
The lease was approved after discussion about fair market value and building condition. Commissioners said the county must charge a rental rate because the property is taxpayer-funded; they set the amount at $1,000 a month with occupancy to commence July 1. The motion to approve carried with recorded affirmative votes from Commissioner DeLosier, Commissioner Hendricks and Commissioner Burrows.
Why it matters: SafeNet operates domestic-violence services and a crisis line that county officials described as critical to community safety. SafeNet representatives told commissioners that their own facility has 37 beds and is about 15,600 square feet, while the Higgins Building is roughly 3,186 square feet—information county staff relied on when weighing rental amount and immediate needs.
County staff said the Oklahoma Attorney General—s office and the fire marshal viewed the building and flagged only a small number of low-impact deficiencies and signage items. Commissioners discussed cosmetic repairs and covering construction damage as short-term steps the county could complete before SafeNet moves in. A county facilities representative offered to do limited cosmetic repairs and cleanup so the space would not appear under construction.
SafeNet representatives said their board must still approve any rental agreement and that their insurance carrier was temporarily unavailable because of an unrelated systems issue. Commissioners said they could accommodate a July 1 start date to expedite SafeNet—s ability to resume services.
The approved lease delegates responsibility for specified repairs and cleaning to the county before occupancy and requires a market-based rental amount; commissioners decided the building—s condition justified a lower-than-average rate. Commissioners and staff also discussed signage and security upgrades needed to meet occupancy approvals.
The vote capped a discussion that included price comparisons from local economic-development sources and a brief review of the building—s square footage and condition. The lease motion was made and seconded on the record; the second was recorded as Commissioner DeLosier. The motion carried.
Looking ahead: County staff said they will finalize lease paperwork, confirm the limited repairs and signage with the Attorney General—s office and coordinate a brief cleaning and cosmetic work before SafeNet moves in on or about July 1.
