Courthouse Renovation Committee Brief

This week, the Osage County Board of County Commissioner's appointed Courthouse Renovation Committee spoke to the Commissioners regarding progress and requesting direction from the Board. The Committee is composed of 7 members of the community; Judge John Kane, Mike Tolson, Mike Fischer, Cathy Ross, Jerry Loftis, Berry Keeler, and Undersheriff Lou Ann Brown.


The Committee has held a couple meeting and went before the board Monday to present their proposed “Mission Statement.' One of the top priorities of the committee is their availability to the public, while the committee's meetings are not required to abide by the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act policies they have chosen to do so. The committee has posted the dates for their meetings, which are open to the public. at the Osage County Courthouse in Pawhuska and will make changes or updates as necessary.


Another priority for the committee was direction from the Commissioners, or as committee member Mike Tolson stated “marching orders.” The committee has asked if they should focus on the renovation or rehabilitation of the existing Courthouse or look into utilizing other County buildings within the County Seat, Pawhuska. Of special interest was the Kennedy Building in downtown Pawhuska, which was also on the Agenda for the Commissioner's meeting this week.


The Commissioners currently plan to sell the Kennedy building, however the committee has asked that they put the sale on temporary hold until the committee has looked at “all of the options.” The commissioners agreed and will hold off on the sale. The committee will report back to the commissioners in two weeks at the December 28th meeting.