BET creates FY27 watch list as staff reports medical claims easing and supplemental CJA payment covered payroll

At its May 7 meeting the BET approved a FY27 watch list that the board will track through the coming budget cycle. The items the panel agreed to start tracking are 25 hires for the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority (CJA), the behavioral care center's operational and transportation costs, and employee benefits.

Chair (S2) and committee members discussed dollar amounts and phasing: members said the 25 CJA hires were estimated at about $1.4 million including fringe; behavioral care center operational estimates included a $1.6 million annual figure for transportation and program costs, with the board agreeing to record three months of that $1.6 million in the FY27 watch list.

Staff (S1) described the recent CJA supplemental payment and how it was spent: "So essentially, the entire supplemental payment went to payroll," the staff member said, indicating invoices and itemized documents can be provided as they are approved. Committee members asked for the itemized invoices and a breakdown of payroll versus operating costs.

Presenter (S6) gave an employee-benefits update: medical claims trends have moved from roughly the mid-20% range down to about 10% year over year, with an actuarial trend of about 5%. "We're about $1,500,000 over," the presenter said while noting other revenue sources, such as the county pharmacy, have helped offset costs; overall staff projected the county can get through the current fiscal year without an additional appropriation.

The board recorded motions to create the watch list and to receive the updated departmental estimates and the employee-benefits documentation; both motions were seconded and approved by voice vote.

What happens next: staff will provide the watch list details to the chair for inclusion in the BET recommendation packet to the Budget Board and will submit itemized invoices for supplemental payments as they are approved for verification.