Oklahoma County committee forwards draft emergency policy for Capital Fund 2010 after debate over authorization

The Infrastructure and Public Works committee voted to forward a draft policy to the Board of County Commissioners that would define emergency circumstances and set a procedure for accessing Capital Fund 2010.

Jessica, a staff member, described the draft as a way to "clearly define what is an emergency," listing examples the draft includes: "structural failure of a building or major component, fire or significant smoke damage, flooding or water, sudden failure of systems essentially to facility operations." She said the policy would allow the county manager to provide a summary report to the infrastructure board after an emergency release of capital funds.

Some commissioners questioned vesting preauthorization in the county manager without routing approval through the chairman's office. One speaker said emergencies historically move through the chairman's office; others said giving preauthorization to the county manager would cut red tape in acute situations and speed responses. The transcript records at least one voiced opposition during the subsequent voice vote.

A motion to forward the policy as a recommendation to the full Board of County Commissioners was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript records at least one "no." The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting record included in the transcript.

The forwarded draft would set a $300,000 available annual budget line for emergency uses and outline requisitioner roles; Jessica said both she and Erin Moore are designated requisitioners in the proposed procedure.

The item will be considered by the full Board of County Commissioners for final adoption.