Oklahoma County Detention Center reports stable projections; payroll and off‑site medical are biggest cost risks

An Oklahoma County Detention Center official filling in for an absent manager told the Budget Evaluation Team that financial and operational metrics remain close to projections, though off‑site medical and payroll costs are the largest variables.

The presenter said the center expects to end the fiscal year close to its budgeted need, within about $150,000 either way, and credited supplemental county funds for preventing a shortfall. She noted off‑site medical expenses are “wild cards” that could push costs up but that overall revenue and expenditures are being actively monitored.

Staff discussed academy staffing: the center had 35 approved recruits, about 34 showed up for training and 27 remain in the academy, yielding a net reduction of seven from the initial cohort. Members asked whether vacancies and unfilled positions had contributed to budget savings; staff confirmed some savings have helped offset medical and payroll spending.

Committee members asked practical questions about account codes and how shortfalls would be handled; staff said final treatment depends on timing and whether transfers or encumbrances are necessary but that they do not anticipate a problematic shortfall. The presenter said two remaining DHS bills will be paid from unused payroll funds and that staff will report more complete numbers after month‑end postings are available.

The committee did not take formal action on the update but asked staff to return with more detailed, month‑lagged revenue figures in the following meeting cycle.