Oklahoma County approves build-out of two courtrooms, clarifies asbestos abatement budget

Oklahoma County commissioners approved financial components tied to a planned build-out of two courtrooms, chambers and office space in the southeast corner of the annex's 4th floor and discussed procurement and asbestos-abatement plans.

Facilities staff told the board the project aims for completion by the end of the calendar year and that procurement will follow county purchasing rules. "We'll take quotes and or bids," the facilities representative said, adding that contractor qualifications will be evaluated and the county will remove contractors who do not meet expectations.

On asbestos abatement, the facilities representative said, "That 1,500,000 is for the entirety of the 4th Floor," and that roughly $150,000 of that sum is allocated specifically for the area where the new courtrooms will be located. Commissioners pressed staff on whether costs could overrun; staff acknowledged cost overruns are possible but said they aim to manage them and that the facilities department generally comes in at budget when acting as general contractor.

Commissioners approved items 26 and 27, the financial components related to the build-out, by voice vote. Staff said they will work with purchasing on whether individual solicitations will be posted online and that quotes or formal bids will be used as required by purchasing rules.

Next steps: county staff will proceed with the procurement process, solicit quotes or bids according to purchasing rules, and move forward with asbestos abatement and construction activities as funds and contract approvals allow.