Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Detention Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Detention center requests advance appropriation, flags $2.9M elevator replacement and $920K shower upgrades
Summary
A DuPont County Detention Center representative told the Budget & Evaluation Team the jail needs an advance appropriation to avoid cash-flow problems that prevent entering requisitions; the center also reported urgent capital needs including a $2,914,106 estimate to replace three obsolete elevators and a $920,400 quote for shower upgrades.
A representative of the DuPont County Detention Center told Oklahoma County’s Budget & Evaluation Team on July 9 that the facility needs an advance appropriation to avoid a cash‑flow squeeze that is preventing staff from entering requisitions.
"We would like to request advance appropriation," the Detention Center representative said, adding that without July appropriations posted and trust approval (which may not occur until August) the center cannot enter requisitions or process payments on time.
The representative described two pressing capital needs. "For all 3 elevators, that would be $2,914,106," they said, reporting that Elevator 1 is currently out of service and that replacement parts are no longer manufactured for the existing, obsolete units. On shower upgrades, the presenter said the facility received a vendor quote that morning totaling "$920,400" to install unbreakable shower panels and epoxy flooring across the facility’s showers.
Board members pressed for procurement and funding steps. The Chair told the center to consult Christie (the finance lead) and suggested that, if questions remain, Christie could request a special meeting to address advance payments or other irregularities. The chair also recommended the infrastructure committee evaluate the elevator and shower projects to determine responsibility, procurement (state contract versus open bid), and funding sources.
On staffing and operations, committee members asked the center to provide a monthly budget‑to‑actual spreadsheet and a staffing breakout showing detention officers, medical staff, and part‑time versus full‑time counts. The detention representative said HR reported roughly 345 staff (including medical) and noted an academy graduated about 20–25 recruits; another academy is scheduled for Aug. 3 with a goal of 35–40 recruits. The center agreed to provide the requested budget and staffing detail beginning next month.
The center also said carryover and end‑of‑June numbers were still being finalized; in a submitted estimate the center reported carrying forward $40,000. Committee members cautioned that late invoices can vary widely month to month and can affect whether a fiscal year appears overdrawn.
The Chair and members emphasized process transparency: capital requests and funding recommendations should be routed through the infrastructure committee and, when appropriate, placed on the agenda as a discrete item with supporting documentation before the BET makes a funding recommendation.
The BET did not take formal funding action at the meeting; the center was directed to consult finance staff, provide the requested budget and staffing reports, and pursue infrastructure review for the capital projects.
