Oklahoma County Commissioner pushes for state audit on jail trust amid $5.4M budget crisis
OKLAHOMA CITY – As Oklahoma County faces a roughly $5.3 to $5.4 million jail budget shortfall, an investigative audit of the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority, commonly known as the jail trust, could be next.
The jail trust manages the day-to-day operations, budget, and staffing of the Oklahoma County Detention Center. It was formed in 2020 to take control from the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Jason Lowe is now calling for the state to review how the jail trust manages its finances. Lowe says he plans to ask Cindy Byrd, the state auditor and inspector, to examine the jail’s budget, debts, hiring practices and recent pay raises given to about 100 employees…