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Edmond council approves budget amendment to continue leasing 7 N. Broadway, seeks plan for partners
Summary
Council approved a budget amendment and funding coverage for the city's lease at 7 N. Broadway through January 2028 while directing staff to develop a plan with subtenants and county partners about future use and cost sharing.
Staff told council the city still leases office space at 7 N. Broadway and that rental payments had previously been spread across several departmental budgets. Randy Enns, assistant city manager (speaker 13), explained that departments moved into the building last year but the centralized rent allocation was not carried forward in the general fund, prompting a supplemental appropriation request.
Council members debated whether the city should continue subsidizing leased space for partner agencies (Service Oklahoma and county offices) when the city owns other downtown facilities. One councilor noted that the state's subtenant (Service Oklahoma) pays roughly $3,600 per month toward rent; others argued the presence of partner services drives downtown foot traffic. Council approved the budget amendment and the funding item on recorded votes (first motion passed 4-1, second item passed 4-1) and directed the city manager to engage county and state partners and present a plan to reduce the general-fund exposure or outline long-term strategy at upcoming downtown discussions.
City staff said the lease runs through January 2028 and that staff will take the issue up in an August 24 downtown discussion to evaluate city-owned building options and future strategy.
