Officials in Osage County, Oklahoma, celebrate the recent improvements to the county courthouse in Pawhuska.

 

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Monday at the Osage County Courthouse, signaling the unofficial opening of the three-story administration building next door. The building will house the offices of the district attorney, county clerk, county assessor and county treasurer's office.

 

Commissioner Steve Talburt says this will help make things easier for Osage County residents.

 

Osage County District Attorney Mike Fisher was one of several speakers at the ribbon cutting event. Fisher has been an advocate of giving the courthouse a face lift getting a new administration building for many years. Fisher is pleased with how things worked out, as this is being paid for through use tax money. Fisher says this is one reason why Osage County citizens aren't seeing an increase in taxes.

 

Principal Chief of the Osage Nation Geoffrey Standing Bear also attended the ribbon cutting. Standing Bear says he respects the business that county leaders are conducting and appreciates their cooperation.

 

Other dignitaries in attendance included Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd and Attorney General Gentner Drummond. Drummond had to leave prior to the ribbon cutting due to a prior conflict.