Tulsa County authorizes JE Dunn to accelerate courthouse work; chair empowered to sign follow-ups

The Tulsa County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve JE Dunn’s acceleration proposal for the county courthouse project and authorized the BOCC chair to execute subsequent documents needed to support a mobilization date of Aug. 3, 2026.

A committee member moved to "move forward with the 2026 summer recess acceleration, proposal presented by JE Dunn per the letter dated 07/10/2026, and grant the chairman the authority to execute any subsequent documents in order to support the mobilization date of 08/03/2026," and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board discussed allowing JE Dunn to begin work while staff completes contract modification paperwork to avoid a multi-week delay.

County staff warned the board that contract contingencies and outstanding pay applications could tighten the budget; Jessica, a staff speaker, said she had reviewed contractor and owner contingency TRNs and that "there's roughly about a $500,000 that they have not put under the pay app yet," though she had signed for that work to be done as it progresses. Board members discussed that the remaining visible work is primarily masonry and roofing, and noted the roofing subcontractor will also install metal panels.

Legal staff advised the board that the contractor's letter reads like a firm offer under Oklahoma caselaw and statute and that formal acceptance through an agenda/CMF item would likely create a binding contract, subject to clarification of some proposal conditions such as executed change orders and subcontractor agreements. To address timing and compliance, the board approved the acceleration and empowered the chair to execute additional documents as needed.

The vote was taken by voice and recorded as approval; the board then continued with remaining agenda items and adjourned later in the meeting.