The Oklahoma County Jail Trust plans to remain in charge of the county jail, according to its leaders. The trust intends to continue overseeing operations while pursuing a sales-tax initiative designed to address a funding shortfall. This keeps the oversight body, which has faced criticism regarding inspections and in-custody deaths, at the center of ongoing discussions about how to fund the jail.
At a Thursday Budget Evaluation Team meeting, Trust Chairman Jim Holman told county officials that the trust is not going to dissolve and that trustees will support any tax initiative that can help address the jail’s issues, according to The Oklahoman. Holman, who was named chair in November, has emphasized that money, not structure, is the jail’s main problem.
Sales Tax Showdown: Funding Fight Heats Up
District 1 Commissioner Jason Lowe has proposed a permanent 5/8-cent (0.625%) public-safety sales tax to fund construction and operations, and some local officials have expressed support for a ballot measure, as reported by NonDoc. Supporters say the revenue could help with staffing and maintaining services, while critics argue the tax would be regressive and that details on how the funds would be used remain unclear.
Lowe’s proposal to place a sales-tax question on the April ballot did not receive a second at last Wednesday’s commission meeting, keeping the measure off the calendar for now, according to Central Oklahoma Weeklies. Commissioners said they want broader community support and a funded campaign before asking voters to approve a permanent levy.
Numbers, Deadlines And A Big Shortfall
Voters approved a $260 million bond package in 2022 for a new jail, but project costs have risen to over $700 million, creating a funding gap of several hundred million dollars, as reported by NonDoc. Meanwhile, the county’s Budget Evaluation Team has projected that the jail may have sufficient funds until May, a forecast that has moderated concerns about an immediate payroll crisis.
Oversight, Grand Jury Heat And A Mounting Death Toll
The trust’s record has faced significant scrutiny. A multicounty grand jury in 2023 recommended that the authority dissolve and return daily operations to the sheriff, and state health inspections have repeatedly identified deficiencies, according to KOSU reporting. Advocacy groups note nearly 60 in-custody deaths since the trust assumed control in 2020 as evidence that changes to the system may be needed…