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Narcotics bureau proposes buying existing headquarters and legacy-fund projects to save on construction costs
Summary
Director Anderson of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics told the subcommittee his agency is negotiating to buy a 78,000-square-foot building for about $12.6—3M rather than build new, and requested legacy funds for a $21M tactical warehouse and $4M remodel; he said operating budget is flat but wire-transfer seizure balances have declined.
Director Anderson of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs told the subcommittee the agency is negotiating to purchase a 78,000-square-foot building near its existing campus for approximately $12.6—3M, arguing acquisition would be less expensive than constructing new headquarters. The bureau is also proposing legacy-fund projects: a $21 million tactical warehouse and $4 million in remodeling and hardening work for the purchased building.
Anderson said the bureau's appropriated budget is flat and that the agency will encumber the purchase from available funds. He also reported that the bureaus wire-transfer seizure balance has declined (from several thousand "grows" to about 1,401 current grows), reducing that source of funds; he said the wire-transfer fund is decreasing by about $700,000 from last year and that the composition of illicit cash and wired transfers has changed.
Why it matters: The bureau argued buying an existing building will produce material cost savings compared with new construction and allow co-location with the OSBI and DOC tactical storage. Legislators asked whether the price is firm and about operating and parking implications; Anderson said negotiations are underway and provided an estimate of $12.6—3M to $13M.
Details and context: The bureau said it is not requesting additional operating appropriations this fiscal year and that legacy-fund support would pay for the warehouse and remodel. Anderson flagged that wire-transfer seizure revenues are volatile and noted that large drops in cash seizures or immigration-related activity affect the bureaus wire-transfer fund balance.
Next steps: The committee received the presentation and will consider the bureaus legacy-fund request and acquisition plan as part of its budget deliberations.
