Durant, Okla. — The Durant City Council voted unanimously Jan. 13 to adopt ordinance O-2026-02 amending city code to require a conditional-use permit for any detention center or confinement facility within the city.

Mayor Martin Tucker opened debate by saying the change responds to concerns that the current code lacked explicit standards for detention centers. City staff member Doug told the council the text was modeled on larger cities’ ordinances and is intended to ensure any future proposal undergoes Planning & Zoning review and public hearings, not to preapprove or prohibit a particular operator.

The ordinance drew repeated interruptions from members of the public during the presentation. Jane Hicks and several attendees raised objections and asked whether the ordinance effectively would prevent private detention operators or federal facilities from locating in Durant. Doug and other staff repeatedly clarified that the ordinance’s effect is procedural: if an entity applies to locate a detention center, the conditional-use permit process will require public notice and a Planning & Zoning hearing so neighbors and the council can comment.

Staff emphasized there was no known, identified applicant at the time of the meeting. Doug said the Choctaw Nation had already adopted a resolution opposing such facilities, and that rumors about a specific operator contacting congressional members had prompted the council to act quickly. City staff told the meeting that, absent the ordinance, there was no explicit local prohibition or review requirement for detention centers; the new rule requires operators (other than federal entities) to obtain a conditional-use permit before opening.

Council adopted O-2026-02 after a motion and roll-call vote. The mayor and all present council members voted yes. The ordinance will take effect on posting as provided under the city’s emergency/adoption procedures and will route future permit applications through Planning & Zoning for public hearing and recommendation.

The council did not take separate action to block any specific project; staff said any permit application would be considered on its merits in subsequent hearings.