Cleveland County Budget Board Regular Meeting - April 27, 2026

The Cleveland County Budget Board convened on April 27, 2026, at 10:30 AM in Norman, Oklahoma, with Chairman Jacob McHughes presiding. The board considered multiple fund transfers, appropriations, and received updates on infrastructure, employee benefits, and safety. All actions were approved unanimously where votes were recorded.

Discussion Items

• Approval of Minutes: The board approved the minutes from the March 23, 2026 meeting.
• Highway District 1 Fund Transfer: Approved transfer of $35,000 from Personnel (100910-51000) to M&O (100910-54000) for road materials and repairs, due to shifted personnel needs.
• Sheriff’s Office Fund Transfers:
  • $5,000 from Detention Personnel (100552-51000) to General M&O (100500-54000) for general operations.
  • $90,000 from Detention Personnel (100552-51000) to Capital Outlay (100500-55000) for purchase of two Tahoes from Mustang Police Department.
  • $15,000 from General Personnel (100500-51000) to General M&O (100500-54000) for general operations.
  • $5,000 from Detention Personnel Services (100552-51000) to Travel (100500-53000) for the Oklahoma Gang Investigators Conference (June 22–26, 2026 in Lawton, OK).
• County Clerk Fund Transfer: Approved $219,080.38 from ARPA M&O (112120-54000) to ARPA Scanning Project (112120-54860).
• Assessor – Board of Equalization Extension: Approved extending the Board of Equalization meeting deadline to no later than July 31, 2025 (per Title 68, Section 2863), to allow processing of late protests.
• Treasurer Fund Transfer: Approved $200,000 from Personnel Services (100150-51000) to Capital Outlay (100150-55000) for replacement of office furniture and equipment.
• Appropriations (March 16 – April 15, 2026): Approved a list of 27 appropriations totaling $2,229,080.69, covering American Rescue Plan, Assessor Revolving, Bridge & Road Improvement districts, County Clerk fees, Fairgrounds, Farm Market, Health, Highway districts, Jail Commissary, Sales Tax, Sheriff Service Fees, Stop Violence Against Women, and Treasurer Certification Fee.
• Employee Benefits Committee Update: Discussed setting aside $50,000 as a placeholder for potential retired employee OPERS liability costs. Board member expressed support for creating a reserve fund for unexpected expenses, noting transparency in the budget process.
• Infrastructure Committee Update: A board member reported completion of the old election board parking lot, which improved access to the fairgrounds. Upcoming projects include:
  • Sheriff’s Office grand opening on May 6, 2026 (already moved in nearly two weeks prior).
  • Detention center improvements: second garden area, replacement of padded cells (“cool down room”), elevator upgrade in the courthouse.
  • Courthouse lighting retrofit (motion sensor, energy-saving).
  • Partial courtroom lighting work, new roof on the South Annex building, and replacement of an old air handler (from the 1960s) in the old courthouse basement.
• Safety & Emergency Management Director Presentation: Listed on the agenda but no discussion was recorded in the transcript.
• IT Assessment Update: The National Association of Counties CIO completed an assessment; a preliminary draft is under review and a final report is expected before the end of the week.
• Property Value Notices: The County Assessor explained that notices are mailed when market values change, per state law, and highlighted additional exemption information included to help residents save money.
• Budget Deadlines: County Clerk reminded all offices that budgets are due by May 1, 2026. A special Budget Board meeting will be scheduled after Excise Board approval.
• Board Member Statements: No additional new business was reported.

Key Outcomes

• All fund transfers (items 2–6, 8) were approved unanimously based on roll call votes.
• The Board of Equalization extension (item 7) was approved.
• The appropriations package (item 9) was approved.
• The plan to create a $50,000 placeholder for retired employee OPERS liabilities was endorsed and will be included in the employee benefits budget.
• The board received updates on infrastructure and IT assessments with no further action required.
• The meeting adjourned after unanimous vote.