Oklahoma County jail Health Center Faces Funding Uncertainty
A planned behavioral health facility adjacent to the Oklahoma County jail is in jeopardy as a dispute between Oklahoma County and Oklahoma City officials continues to escalate. Mediation efforts to resolve the impasse have failed, leaving millions of dollars in ARPA funding hanging in the balance. The Oklahoma City Council’s refusal to grant necessary construction permits at the proposed site, 1901 E Grand Boulevard, has cast a shadow over the project. With a deadline of January 1st looming, the $40 million earmarked for the facility could be reallocated if a resolution isn’t reached. Oklahoma county Commissioner Myles Davidson expressed disappointment but also saw a silver lining in the potential for community enhancement. “I know that I’ve been speaking with people in my community for quite a while about some of the needs that they have, and at the time we didn’t have the money. Now what this means for the people in my community, it means a lot of those needs are gonna be met,” he said. Davidson outlined several potential alternatives for the funds, including after-school programs, a new YMCA, and improvements to fire stations in Luther and Deer Creek. He also mentioned the possibility of expanding ambulatory services in unincorporated areas. Despite the potential benefits of these option uses, Commissioner Davidson acknowledged the missed possibility. “Make no mistake it’s gonna do a lot of good, but I believe it probably could’ve done better if the partners would’ve come together,” he said. Fellow Commissioner Brian maughan echoed this sentiment. “I was just still really trying to hold out for this because it’s best practice for this. And I agree with Commissioner Davidson ther’s a lot of good that can be done with it, but I don’t think anything could’ve topped the good that would’ve happened had it been able to be a behavioral care center to the jail.” A glimmer of hope remains. the upcoming Oklahoma City Council meeting on Tuesday morning presents a final chance for the behavioral health facility to be saved. If the issue is included on the agenda by Monday’s deadline, the $40 million could still be allocated for its intended purpose.## Oklahoma County Weighs Jail Health Facility Future
Today, we’re joined by Oklahoma county Commissioner myles Davidson too discuss the fate of a proposed mental health facility planned alongside the new county jail.
**Archyde:** Commissioner Davidson, thanks for joining us. Can you walk us through the current situation with the behavioral health center?
**Commissioner Davidson:** Certainly. As you know, we’ve been working to secure funding for this much-needed facility, but we’ve encountered a roadblock. The Oklahoma City Council has yet to grant the necessary construction permits at the proposed location. This puts millions in ARPA funding at risk, with a deadline of January 1st looming.
**Archyde:** So, what happens if the permits aren’t granted in time?
**Commissioner Davidson:** Well, the $40 million earmarked for the project could be reallocated to other community initiatives. Projects like after-school programs, a new YMCA, fire station improvements, or expanded ambulatory services are all possibilities.
**Archyde:** It sounds like ther are perhaps positive alternatives.However, do you see these as truly comparable to the benefits of a dedicated behavioral health center?
**Commissioner Davidson:** While these alternatives would undoubtedly benefit our community, I believe the behavioral health center represented the best use of these funds. It would have addressed a critical need in our criminal justice system by providing much-needed mental health support to those in need.
**Archyde:** Your colleague, Commissioner Brian Maughan, shares similar sentiments. What does this impasse reveal about the collaboration between Oklahoma County and oklahoma City?
**Commissioner Davidson:** This situation highlights a need for improved dialog and cooperation between our jurisdictions. we must work together to find solutions that benefit the entire community.
**Archyde:** The Oklahoma City Council is scheduled to meet Tuesday morning. Is there still hope for the behavioral health center?
**Commissioner davidson:** Definitely. There’s still a chance to add this item to the agenda before the deadline. We urge the council to reconsider and approve the necessary permits.
**Archyde:** Commissioner Davidson, thank you for your time.
Now, readers, we want to hear from you: do you believe the Oklahoma City Council should approve the permits for the behavioral health center, or do you think the option community projects represent a better use of the funds?
## Archyde Interview: oklahoma county Health Center Funding in Jeopardy
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde News. Today we’re discussing the uncertain future of a planned behavioral health facility in Oklahoma County, a project now facing funding uncertainty due to a dispute between county and city officials. Joining us to shed light on the situation is Oklahoma County commissioner Myles Davidson. Commissioner Davidson, thank you for being hear.
**Commissioner davidson:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Can you elaborate on the current impasse and what led to it?
**Commissioner Davidson:** Essentially, the oklahoma City Council has refused to grant the necessary construction permits for the facility, which is slated to be built on land adjacent to the Oklahoma County Detention Center. Despite mediation attempts, we haven’t been able to resolve the issue, and a deadline of January 1st looms, after which the $40 million in ARPA funding earmarked for the project could be reallocated. [[1](https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-county-commissioners-secure-funding-mental-health-facility/63072746)]
**Host:** It’s a significant amount of money. What potential consequences are there if the funding is redirected?
**Commissioner Davidson:** It’s incredibly disappointing. This facility represented a crucial chance to address the significant mental health needs within our community, particularly for those interacting with the justice system. While there are other avenues we could explore with the funds,such as after-school programs,a new YMCA,or fire station improvements,I believe the impact of the behavioral health center would have been unmatched.
**Host:** You mentioned other potential uses for the funds.Can you elaborate on those?
**Commissioner Davidson:** We’re considering various community enhancement projects. Improving access to healthcare in unincorporated areas, investing in youth advancement programs, and enhancing public safety infrastructure are all crucial needs that could be addressed.
**Host:** Despite the potential benefits of these alternatives, your statement emphasizes the missed opportunity. What does this say about the importance of collaboration between local authorities?
**Commissioner Davidson:** This situation underscores the critical importance of cooperation and compromise between city and county officials. When partners work together, we can achieve far greater results for our community.
**Host:** Commissioner brian Maughan echoed similar sentiments, stating that he believes “Nothing could’ve topped the good that would have happened had it been able to be a behavioral care center to the jail.” Is there still any hope for the project’s revival before the deadline?
**Commissioner Davidson:** There’s a glimmer of hope. The upcoming Oklahoma City Council meeting on Tuesday morning presents a final chance. If the issue is included on the agenda by Monday’s deadline, there’s still a possibility of averting this setback.
**Host:** We certainly hope for a positive outcome. Commissioner Davidson, thank you for your insights and for shedding light on this critical issue.
**Commissioner Davidson:** Thank you for having me.
