Stratton Taylor
Nov. 14, 2009 — It’s commonly known that Rogers County is one of, if not the fastest growing county in the state. With approximately 80,000 residents and still growing, like any family, it from time to time needs more space for its facilities. The courthouse is no exception.
Built as a 1936 WPA project when the county population was under 20,000 and renovated in 1982 when the county population was approximately 30,000, it’s obviously straining when operating at full capacity as during a recent jury trial session when prospective jurors were sitting on the floor. In addition, there have been more judges added to the courthouse as a result of the county’s growth and the District Attorney’s office has had to expand.
A recent blue ribbon committee, with such respected local citizens as businessman Jim Smith and attorney William Higgins, proposed a new courthouse that would not be paid for by a tax increase. It would require an extension of a current sales tax already on the books to fund the Rogers County Jail and money from the County’s general revenue fund, along with existing use tax funds from the Rogers County Industrial Development Authority.
The proposed site for this new courthouse would be on the east side of Missouri Street adjacent to the jail, which would allow a more secure escort of prisoners to court hearings in addition to providing modern facilities for a growing county.
Virtually every other county in Northeastern Oklahoma has recently gone through either a significant courthouse renovation or has constructed a new courthouse. One only has to look at Delaware, Ottawa, Wagoner, Craig, and the crown jewel of all courthouses in Mayes County to see that the Rogers County Courthouse is much less functional than our sister counties. When you take into consideration that Rogers County has more population than Mayes, Delaware, and Craig counties, the discrepancy really begins to stand out.
The issue will go to a vote soon and it’s one that deserves the support of our citizens. Direct questions have been posed and equally direct answers given by members of the eleven person committee as well as courthouse officials. It’s an issue whose time has come and voters, after careful scrutiny, ought to give this proposal their approval.
n Stratton Taylor is a Claremore attorney and former state senator.
