Commissioners allocate $5M from ARPA, honor fallen Deputy

-- authorize financing on Deer Creek bond for school buildings

September 6, 2022

Last Updated on September 6, 2022, 11:35 AM | Published: September 6, 2022

OKLAHOMA CITY (Free Press) — Tuesday, the Board of County Commissioners of Oklahoma County (BoCC) addressed some significant, time-sensitive items and handled a list of standard renewals from various departments in the first meeting of September.

Financing services for a $92 million bond passed in February by Deer Creek voters was authorized by the Board, allowing Oklahoma Finance Authority to assist in the financing of the bond.

The Commissioners went on to approve five line items for allocations of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds totaling over $5 million.

The BoCC took somber time at the beginning of their meeting to honor the life of Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Bobby Swartz, who was recently killed in the line of duty.

Deer Creek

The leadership of Deer Creek Public Schools have been sounding the alarm on a coming population crisis for several years. In fact, just this year, the district added 507 new students. These students are largely from families who are new to the district.

The rapid growth in housing developments in the Deer Creek area, especially the part of the school district that is in Oklahoma City Limits, has already created a strain on space available for students throughout the district. A new middle school and a new elementary school building are already overcrowded.

The voters of the district approved a $92 million lease revenue bond in February. Tuesday, the BoCC authorized the Oklahoma Finance Authority, a county trust, to oversee the financing of the bond.

Projects in the bond include new elementary buildings and expanded cafeterias to help with meal service to the influx of students. With authorization passing on Tuesday, projects will begin within the month.

ARPA Allocations

The board voted to approve five items to receive ARPA funds, totaling over $5 million.

First was $113,918 for the Juvenile Bureau. That money will be used to purchase two new vehicles for field work and for security transportation.

Two items related to the Detention Center (Jail) were approved. One for a new roof, as the current roof is leaking and threatens the improvements made to the HVAC systems over the past two years. That, along with sealing of the metal roof at the lower level of the Jail will be allocated a total of $425,000.

$62,527 was allocated to Social Services to hire a part-time position of Homeless Navigator to serve a support role for the two staff positions serving people experiencing homelessness across Oklahoma County. While this position was happily approved, District 3 Commissioner Kevin Calvey urged caution moving forward when considering using temporary money to fund ongoing programs or positions.

Finally, $4,400,000 was allocated for a county-wide radio program through the County Emergency Management Department. This will allow functioning equipment to be had at all emergency response agencies across the county, in order to aid in cohesive communication between agencies.