Last Updated on August 6, 2023, 2:50 AM | Published: April 30, 2023
OKLAHOMA CITY — On Saturday, April 29th, OK County Commissioner Carrie Blumert hosted the return of “Coffee With Your Commissioner,” an opportunity for residents to meet the commissioner, ask questions, and meet their neighbors, all over a hot cup of coffee. This meet-up was hosted at the Midtown location of local coffee shop Not Your Average Joe.
The event kicked off with Blumert casually mingling around guests of all ages, introducing herself to some new faces and greeting old friends with a hug and a smile.
On a rare sunny April morning, Oklahoma residents gathered together over lattes and pastries to discuss issues like affordable housing and the location of the new jail. It’s an event that Blumert has hosted for some time, but the coffee meet-ups became less frequent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
County Commissioners are largely responsible for managing the county budget and overseeing county administration, interests, and general management. It’s a full-time job with fill-time pay. Each county in Oklahoma is divided into three districts, with one commissioner elected from each district.
Blumert was first elected to represent District 1 in 2018, serving the communities of Del City, Forest Park, Jones, Lake Aluma, Midwest City, Nicoma Park, Spencer, and The Village.
She was most recently re-elected to office in the general election in November 2022.
Update on ARPA funds
One of the biggest topics of conversation was the development of allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The Oklahoma County Board of Commissioners approved several million dollars in ARPA funds in January 2023.
Many of the attendees at the event had questions about the process of getting approved for these funds for services like affordable housing, after-school programs, medical care for low-income communities, and job training programs.
This money is essentially set aside to help people recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, coming from the Oklahoma Legislature and Executive Branch, working together on the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding.
“Right now people are talking about ARPA, and that’s the main question and concern right now,” Lou Leake said. Leake is the Community Outreach Director for the commissioner. “They’re wanting an update, and I love those types of questions because now that’s information that we can take back to the office to make things better. I’m glad people are concerned.”
Blumert assured constituents that they haven’t missed any deadlines to apply for County ARPA funding, and that conversations are still ongoing for allotment. Currently, ARPA funds must be allocated by December 2024 and expended by December 2026.
Local florist Treva McNeill has been a long-time supporter of Blumert’s work, and came out today as one of many looking for an update on ARPA funds. She said she enjoyed her conversation and finds these types of events important to keep the community engaged, especially those who have questions.
“The Commissioner, with what she’s doing in the community, I think she’s doing a great job,” McNeill said. “What I’d like to do is just stay in touch and in the loop with everything going on. I just want to know what the future of the city is.”
Blumert said she’s enjoyed getting to know her constituents during this event and has felt like she’s had some productive discussions, especially about ARPA funding and the location of the new jail.
The new jail
In June 2022, voters in Oklahoma County approved the issuing of bonds to build a new jail. So far, a site has not been chosen for this new jail.
“With the jail, there are some concerns that we will put it in Northeast Oklahoma City,” Blumert said. “I’ve been very open that I cannot support that and will not support that.”
Blumert said the placement of the jail has to be strategic and can’t impact any particular neighborhood, especially neighborhoods with higher populations of people of color. She said one ideal spot could be near the Will Rogers World Airport or in another spot further from residential areas.
“We haven’t made any decisions yet, so I like hearing people’s opinions because it better informs me when I have to make that decision,” Blumert said.
Blumert said these events make it less intimidating for many constituents to learn more about their local government.
“These coffee events that we do are a little bit of a different format than a traditional town hall,” Blumert said. “There are some folks who are never going to show up to a town hall if that’s not their thing, but they’re more comfortable showing up to a coffee shop and making it a little more casual.”
At this event, Blumert was joined by City of OKC Ward 6 Councilwoman JoBeth Hamon and State Representative Ellyn Hefner (HD-87.) The three of them spent the morning engaged in conversations with constituents, sipping on coffee, and getting to know their community.
Active Commissioner
Leake said events like this are an opportunity for Blumert to be visible to the community and talk with concerned constituents about her work.
“Coffee with the Commissioner is really an event for Commissioner Carrie to reach out to the community and answer any questions and also to really be transparent about any issues going on,” Leake said. “If someone really wants questions answered about things going on in the County, this is the time to come out and support and engage in what’s going on.”
During her time in office, Blumert has focused her work on improving access to treatment for mental health and improving the county jail, as well as improving roads and bridges.
In 2019, she led an effort to ensure that MAPS 4 included funding for addiction treatment and emergency housing.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Oklahoma County, Blumert led a push for financial assistance to renters, small businesses, and non-profits.
She has also invested in Eastern Oklahoma County roads and bridges and has paved the way for new sports facilities, walking trails, an early childhood center, and more.
Zoe Travers has spent her career covering local musicians, artists, politicians, and everyday folks. She is also Oklahoma City’s most enthusiastic connoisseur of cheese danishes.
