OK Co. Commissioners vote to secure federal funds for mental health facility at jail site

OKLAHOMA COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) – On Monday, Oklahoma County Commissioners voted to approve federal funding for a mental health facility. The center would be built at the site of the proposed county jail off East Grand in southeast Oklahoma City, near the Del City line.

Several citizens showed up to voice their frustration with commissioners and their decision to move forward with votes associated with the jail site despite a current lawsuit.

"You guys have screwed this up from day one," said Christopher Johnston during public comments.

Mark Faulk is with the People’s Council for Justice Reform and has attended several commissioner meetings since the battle over the land started two years ago.

"You're rolling the dice just like in a Las Vegas casino,” said Faulk, during the meeting’s public comment portion. “You're betting with taxpayer money."

Despite the opposition, commissioners unanimously voted to secure $38 million in ARPA funds.

"That's just the legality part that moves us forward to the next phase,” said Brian Maughan, County Commissioner for District 2. “The voting on the launch of the construction of the things is yet to come."

Oklahoma City Council members denied a zoning permit for the jail in July. That sparked commissioners to file a lawsuit.

"They voted to do a mental health facility on a piece of land that is not properly zoned for a mental health facility,” said Faulk. "If (commissioners) lose that lawsuit, not only will the doors to that behavioral center never open, but you also could put us, the taxpayers, on the hook to repay that money.”

Citizens who spoke out during public comment also said they didn’t feel Chief Deputy Joe Blough had the right to vote during the meeting.

Blough stepped into Commissioner Carrie Blumert’s seat after she left in September.

"The legislature put it in place that the chief deputy would serve in the event of a death or resignation or absence," said Blough. "I am doing the very best that I can using all of the knowledge that I have at hand to represent those people that I've worked for 19 years."

Commissioners are still waiting on an opinion from Attorney General Gentner Drummond on the lawsuit, which they requested. They will vote at the December 18 meeting on whether or not to approve groundbreaking on the facility.