Melissa Abernathy

The key discussions included administrative matters such as considering items one by one or two by two. Specific agenda items involved discussion and possible action regarding the attachment of a list of complaints of erroneous assessment and a petition for correction, requested by the county assessment office. Furthermore, there was discussion and possible action to receive the attached Oklahoma Assessor's Certificate of Clerical Error or Import, also requested by the county assessor's office. The final item addressed receiving the attached Oklahoma County Assessors Certificate of Clerical Error or Import and certificate of assessment, requested by the town assessment office.

The meeting commenced with addressing technical difficulties related to videoconferencing attendance, confirming a quorum was present despite some members not attending. Key agenda items included setting a reconvene time in case of connectivity loss lasting over 30 minutes, which was set for 3:35. The board proceeded with approving consent items (Items 3 through 8) and addressing several individual retirement applications for defined contribution plans, specifically for Bobby Green, Teresa Williams, John Tyndall, and Christina Byers. A significant discussion centered on Item 13: a proposed action to redirect $400,000 in contributions from forfeiture accounts to the defined benefits plan, with discussion about the total forfeiture balance and the impact on the funding level. Item 15 involved the discussion and potential approval of a Defined Contribution Service Agreement renewal with InvestTrust, focusing on raising the annual fee cap from $400,000 to $450,000, which had not been increased in five years, despite current average fees running slightly under the existing cap. Item 16 covered receiving the monthly updated report for the OPEB forfeiture account activity. Finally, Item 15 also involved a discussion regarding the renewal and future approval process for the InvestTrust service agreement, noting it requires subsequent approval from the Board of County Commissioners (BOC2C).

The special meeting included discussions regarding communications budget allocation, specifically addressing the transition to dual-provider cell service for redundancy. Capital requests involved the replacement of antiquated computers and monitors using a phased approach, and funding for a cap and chassis provision for Oklahoma County Fire Rescue departments to replace brush bumpers or off-road wildland firefighting trucks cost-effectively. There was also a budget discussion for communications equipment, noting the increasing complexity and cost of modern radios. A significant capital request concerned the construction of a new metal storage building on a concrete slab to replace a dilapidated portable structure, addressing storage needs for materials like PPE and public education materials. Budget reviews for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 covered Court Services, District Attorney's Office, County Clerk Executive Board, and County Audit, with notes on existing funds and potential salary increases for the County Clerk's board. The General Fund budget presentation highlighted salary increases due to the hiring of two new finance department positions for training ahead of anticipated retirements, along with increases in health benefits and FICA contributions. Revenue generation from fees, including records preservation and UCC filings, was discussed in relation to the overall operating costs of the office.

The Infrastructure meeting was called to order with all three districts present. Key discussions involved receiving a report on funds received from Oklahoma City regarding the 11th-floor stairwell reimbursement. Item four concerning Oklahoma County's courthouse annex renovations, ICB renovations, office courtroom needs, and funding was postponed and struck from the agenda. Item five, discussing construction courtrooms at the Juvenile Justice Center, was also struck from the agenda, with clarification that the existing design footprint might still be useful. The Owner's Representative provided a report on ARPER projects, noting progress on JC elevators, Court Clerk completion (pending final change order), X security front entrance framing, and courthouse/annex elevators. Abatement work on car number six was completed. Progress continues on the Behavioral Health Center, with a full schedule review pending. For the ICB remodel, structural deterioration of concrete columns is being addressed, and a cost estimate update is expected shortly; the ARPA portion is expected to conclude in the August/September timeframe, with the balance of the project estimated for June 2027. The PBA advisory meeting also convened, approving the striking of item number two. For item three, updates on PBAR projects indicated emergency management is nearing completion, the ICB elevator warranty confirmation is pending building operational status, and Metro 1 and 2 are complete, pending final punch lists and state requirements resolution.

The meeting covered several key agenda items and discussions. Initial discussions included the approval of previous minutes and a presentation on typical difficulties arising concerning life matters. A significant portion involved reviewing COVID-19 related duties, including PPE distribution across various entities, noting the distribution of over half a million pieces. The status of annual fire equipment agreements for fourteen jurisdictions was reviewed. Attention was given to developing a communications plan related to an upcoming presidential visit in Tulsa. Other topics included reviewing a request to lease a substation property, discussions on implementing a structure for inspection fees based on subdivision construction costs, and considering relaxed road material requirements (allowing gravel roads instead of concrete or asphalt) for larger, voluntary rural subdivisions to incentivize development. Furthermore, the committee discussed establishing an Employee of the Month recognition program, potentially involving a monetary stipend, and reviewed details for implementing a tuition reimbursement program authorized by statute, which is set to begin in January with specific eligibility criteria and reimbursement percentages.