By Jessica Blythe Ammons, Progress Intern
June 24, 2009 — A committee is being formed to assess possible solutions and financing for the Rogers County Courthouse, Rogers County Jail, and a countywide 911 dispatch facility. The committee will review the needs and make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners for Rogers County.
Judge Dwayne Steidley, Judge Sheila Condren and Claremore Police Chief Mickey Perry will assemble the committee of 11 members. Steidley said the representative group will collect information, receive input from the county, and survey public opinion to work toward a feasible plan to address problems like overcrowding. Considerations will include where new facilities can be located, and how they can be financed.
In addition to forming the committee, the board is looking into a feasibility study. The study coordinator will work in tandem with the committee in forming the recommendations. The exchange of information will be beneficial to the study and the committee.
Condren said she would like to suggest that Commissioners Mike Helm, Kirt Thacker, and Dan DeLozier each appoint two committee members. The other five will be Steidley, Condren, Perry and two candidates that represent the county.
When asked why Rogers County needs a new courthouse, Steidley said, “It is a matter of space; it is a matter of security.”
Condren added that the county has grown and the needs are greater.
“One judge has no court room. Every day he has to figure out if there is a courtroom available, and he never knows if he will be able to have his dockets.”
A jury assembly room is also needed. When members of the public are called, they sit in the hallways, sometimes for hours and sometimes on the floor.
“It is not safe, because we bring prisoners into the middle of all those people,” said Condren.
Other security issues are the need for countywide dispatch and jail overcrowding.
The first committee meeting is scheduled for July 9.
In other county business, commissioners:
•approved contract with Guy Engineering Services, Inc. for road improvement on North 193 East Avenue from SH-266 to East 76 Street North
•approved claim to Oklahoma Department of Transportation for $10,240 through County Bridge and Road Improvement funds for submittal on plans for bridge number 98 over Elm Creek from Guy Engineering Services, Inc.
•approved independent contractor agreements for fiscal year 2009-10 between Rogers County Health Department and the following: C and M Landscape; Charles McCaskey; Robyn Harris; Dental Assistant; Darryl Reed, D.D.S.; Fran Hrdlicka, R.N.; and Lynn Robinson, Maintenance
•approved contract with Oklahoma Justice Services, Inc. for operating the Garfield County Regional Juvenile Detention Center
•approved Interlocal Cooperative Agreement between Rogers County Sheriff's Office and Verdigris Police Department.
•approved fuel reimbursement for $1, 876, County Treasure to deposit funds from Rogers County Sheriff's Office to District 1 into the One Cent Sales Tax fund for distribution.
•approved Application for Temporary Appropriations for fiscal year ending June 30, 2010
•approved Service Agreement between Rogers County Clerk's Office and KellPro, Inc.
•approved Facilities Access Agreement with Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions, Inc.
