The Seminole County Public Building Authority, which oversees the Seminole County Jail, had their first meeting with the new administration of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma on Tuesday, Sept. 14.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the annual county jail contract with the Seminole Nation. This contract was originally due to expire at the end of June. However, because of the upcoming Seminole Nation election on July 10, the contract was extended until the end of September since the new administration was scheduled to be sworn in on Sept. 4.

After thanking the Board members for their time, newly elected Chief Lewis Johnson introduced the board to newly elected Assistant Chief Brian Palmer and new Seminole Lighthorse Police Chief Chris Coker. Chief Johnson explained that there were also 12 or 13 new council representatives that were elected, so there has been a fairly large overhaul of the governing body of the Seminole Nation.

Johnson stated that he had his first quarterly meeting with the General Council on Sept. 4, and explained that there are certain policies, processes, and protocols to get things approved. Concerning the jail contract, they approved the extension that goes to Sept. 30, but he had not seen the annual contract until that morning. Now that he has a copy, he will need to have it approved by his Tribal Council, just as it was approved by the Public Building Authority.

Seminole County Sheriff Shannon Smith pointed out that there were a lot of differences between the one that’s been extended and the new contract. He pointed out that the Sheriff’s office will not accept bail bond money from other entities that house prisoners in the county jail. He stressed this was not just the Seminole Nation, but everybody. The bonds should instead be paid to, for example, the Lighthorse Police if the prisoner is a member of the Seminole Nation, and then they will email a release to the jail.

Smith added that another issue is the bond release of an intoxicated person. There is a 12-hour minimum hold, but if the prisoner is still intoxicated, he will not turn them loose. Smith explained if the released prisoner should walk into the street and get struck by a vehicle the Sheriff’s office would be liable. This led to a discussion on how to determine if a person is intoxicated or if they have a mental issue.

Johnson stressed that he has great respect for law enforcement, and they should all work together to protect all citizens living in Seminole County. He added the Seminole Lighthorse are beefing up their force and have hired seven new officers in the last four days.

“I want to assure you gentlemen that the Seminole Nation is not here to be arbitrary, or has anything against the County,” Johnson stated. “There are some things that have changed since the Supreme Court ruling (McGirt v Oklahoma), but we are interested in your safety, and we are interested in our safety, and anything that we can do that is mutually beneficial.” Johnson stressed that he will be fair, and he will be adequate, to all citizens, pointing out that Seminole County is where he was born and raised, and it is his home.

Smith explained his frustration was with the previous Seminole Nation administration, which had scheduled meetings to discuss the contract and then not shown up.

“You should have been involved, and I know you wasn’t allowed to be,” Smith said. “That’s what’s great about Mr. Palmer sitting here with you. I see you’re taking a stride to go forward and do the right thing, and I appreciate that. I think we all do. But you got to look after the tribe, and I’ve got to look after the County, and we’ve got to come together somewhere.” Smith added that he didn’t mind extending the contract, but he stressed once again he was not going to take bond money. The contract he has proposed is the same contract he has with everybody else that uses the jail, and he’s not going to differentiate.

Johnson argued that Seminole Nation shouldn’t be equated with a municipality. The other entities don’t contribute to the roads building program or the 911 system as the Seminole Nation does. They are a sovereign nation, and most of Seminole County is within their jurisdiction. He agreed to disagree on this issue.

Public Building Board member Tim Anderson made the motion to extend the current jail contract until the November meeting to give Chief Johnson time to present the contract to his new council, and the item was approved. Smith offered to attend any meets or other events to explain the contract if it would help.