Statement regarding Oklahoma County Commissioners voting process

The Board of Directors of Freedom of Information Oklahoma (FOI Oklahoma) is appalled at the actions taken Wednesday morning by Oklahoma County Commissioners Kevin Calvey and Brian Maughn. The Commissioners took a snap vote at 9:01 a.m. for a 9 a.m. meeting to address the disposition of nearly $35 million in CARES federal pandemic relief funds. Commissioners Calvey and Maughan did not allow public comment before or after their action. Commissioners Calvey and Maughan did not even allow their colleague, Commissioner Carrie Blumert, to take her seat. These actions demonstrated a clear disregard for the basic principles of transparency and open government that allow the public to have confidence in the actions taken by their elected officials. Commissioners Calvey and Maughan degraded public trust in their own offices today.