Pittsburg County unanimously approves ODOT inmate public-works contract with $125,000 cap

The Pittsburg County commissioners on April 6 unanimously approved a contract with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to provide county jail inmates and deputy supervision for state highway maintenance projects.

The contract authorizes a minimum crew of five inmates on state-assigned public works projects, sets supervisor pay at $30 per hour, and reimburses mileage at $0.70 per mile. The agreement limits county liability and expressly prohibits use of inmates to perform personal services for private benefit. The contract term runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, and contains an annual cap of $125,000.

Why it matters: The contract provides labor for roadway maintenance using county inmates and deputy supervision, while laying out which party supplies tools, training and transportation. The arrangement shifts routine on-site supervision costs to the department’s invoice process while making the county responsible for inmate transport, lunches and medical care while on duty.

Under the contract the Department of Transportation will provide work orders, job qualifications, training and materials. The county sheriff — through the assigned deputy supervisor — retains custody and discipline authority for inmates while they are on work detail. For each eight-hour day of satisfactory roadwork, inmates are entitled to two days of credit toward their sentence under 69 O.S. Sec. 615, a provision the contract references.

Sheriff’s office involvement: A county representative identified in the minutes as McClendon told the board that “the contract is the same as last year.” The board voted to approve the contract by motion of Chairman Ross Selman, seconded by Charlie Rogers; the vote was recorded as 3-0 in favor.

Key terms from the contract include: - Minimum crew size: five inmates per assignment. - Supervisor pay: $30.00 per hour per supervisor. - Mileage reimbursement: $0.70 per mile for travel to/from and on-site mileage. - Annual not-to-exceed amount: $125,000. - Hours: typical shifts of up to eight hours, normally between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.; weekend or night shifts allowed by agreement. - County responsibilities: provide inmate transportation, lunches and medical care while on assignment; maintain ultimate security and discipline. - Department responsibilities: furnish tools, materials, training, safe work environment and written work orders; inmates are not to operate motor vehicles.

The contract identifies dispute-resolution, governing law (Oklahoma), and termination on 30 days’ notice. County and department approval blocks and signature lines accompany the contract text in the meeting packet; the contract calls for the Department Chief Engineer’s signature to make it effective.

The commission did not discuss amendments at length during the meeting; the item was approved as presented and recorded in the official minutes.