Oklahoma CountyOversight Advisory Board Chair Steve Mason convened the panel on Nov. 24 to review construction progress on the countyAdult Detention Center and a related Behavioral Care Center and to receive HOKpresentation on the new jail site.

HOK project lead Kirk Pardee said the site plan divides construction into Detention Phase 1 (support facilities, intake/booking, commercial laundry, kitchen and a 256-bed initial housing unit) and a follow-on Detention Phase 2 that contains most housing and clinical space. "The number of beds is, 2,328, on this site when it's complete," Pardee said, citing the full-site capacity HOK used in its planning.

Why it matters: county staff, consultants and contractors told the advisory board that population volatility, state Department of Corrections transfers and an operational safety buffer mean the county needs more capacity than its historical averages suggest. HOKprojected a near-term bed need of roughly 1,762 when an operational safety factor is applied to the current monthly average, and a planning target of about 2,221 for 2030 if growth continues. Pardee urged planning for capacity beyond 1,800 to avoid returning to voters for expansion soon after opening.

HOK's analysis combined historical inmate counts, state DOC housing held at the county and an operational safety factor: "So when you look at the top line here, the 2025 to date monthly average inmatesis 1,532 inmates. The operational safety factor for that is 230 additional beds. That means the current actual bed need is 1,762 beds," Pardee said. He also noted the county often houses between 150 and 300 people who are DOC responsibilities, which affects immediate bed demand.

Contractor and schedule updates: Josh Patterson of Flintco, the construction manager, said the Behavioral Care Center work is ramping up: steel erection and MEP trades are mobilized, exterior framing and roofing are next steps and the project will move into peak activity in late winter as glazing and mechanical equipment arrive on site. Patterson said the team is tracking a Nov. 15 projected completion to align spending with ARPA requirements and acknowledged a recent trades turnover that impacted schedule.

ARPA compliance and penalties: The board discussed deadlines tied to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Committee members asked whether the ARPA milestone is tied to construction completion or to expenditure of funds; staff said milestones can depend on Treasury interpretation. When asked about contract penalties, a figure of $1,000 per day was cited in the meeting transcript as a liquidated-damages reference.

Cost and operating-budget gap: HOK presented peer comparisons and an in-depth staffing analysis showing the county's current operating budget for the jail at about $40,000,000 while consultants estimate operating needs closer to $62,000,000 for a roughly 1,800-bed facility. "We can build a new building, and we know what you need, but you also need to be able to fund it appropriately, for operating it," Pardee said.

Phase 1 budget and bond ask: Mike Atkinson of Flintco outlined updated cost estimates and phasing. Atkinson said a June total-scope estimate was around $698,000,000 and that a revised Detention 1 (phase 1) scope is roughly $206,000,000 (excluding FF&E and some fees). He said one possible voter referendum ask would be about $525,000,000 on top of existing funds, which Flintco estimated could put the program near a $725,000,000 target for broader project funding. Atkinson described phasing options that would allow phase 1 to be built and operated if an April bond measure failed or was delayed.

Board context and next steps: Chair Mason reminded members the advisory board previously recommended building 1,800 beds in April 2024 but said final decisions on bed count and funding will rest with the Board of County Commissioners. Members discussed the tradeoff between building only what is fundable today and the longer-term costs and operational consequences of adding capacity later. Mason also noted bond proceeds of roughly $214,000,000 are currently available to spend on phase 1 construction.

Meeting actions and process notes: The board approved the minutes from Oct. 21, 2025, by motion and second. No formal county commission decisions were taken at the advisory meeting; contractors said they would continue refining cost, schedule and phasing and speak with county staff and commissioners as needed. Chair Mason left the public meeting to continue conversations with contractors and the board adjourned.

What to watch: any formal Board of County Commissioners vote on a bond measure or on a final bed-count decision, and whether the county secures operating-budget increases to cover the elevated staffing and services estimated for a new facility.