Maps 3

[Doug Loudenback]

Just days after the vote, some city leaders diverge over whether the oversight board should have veto power: Kirk Humphreys, Yes; Mick Cornett, Pete White, Brian Davis, No. See the article. NewsOK

Humphreys said three things are needed to make such a group work.

"It needs to be knowledgeable enough to do the work,” he said. "It needs to be diverse enough to represent the community, and it needs to be empowered enough to make a difference.”

The original MAPS oversight board made recommendations to the council but had no power to make decisions.

The MAPS for Kids Trust, however, must approve all projects before any money can be spent.

"The critical difference was: They could say no,” Humphreys said. "Is it really oversight or is it just window dressing? If it’s really oversight, give them the right to say no.”

Ward 4 Councilman Pete White said council members are elected to make decisions on how taxpayer money is spent. Cornett agrees.

"You need the elected officials to be in charge of the money that goes in and out,” Cornett said.

"The board is oversight of the projects. It’s advisory to the council. The council will rely on these people to help them make those decisions.”

Ward 5 Councilman Brian Walters, the only council member who opposed MAPS 3, agreed with Cornett and White that the council should have the ultimate authority on how the estimated $777 million for the program will be spent.

I'm going to watch Flashpoint right now and see what Kirk Humphreys has to say about this topic.

On edit, darn, Humphreys isn't there this morning. Might get interesting.