Oklahoma County commissioners plan to build a new jail at site on Grand Boulevard in southeast Oklahoma City. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice)
There’s an ongoing melodrama over a jail in Oklahoma County that showcases government ineptitude at its finest.
It involves two powerful government entities engaged in a nasty lawsuit; a state attorney general meddling in litigation that shouldn’t be his business; dense county commissioners who seem content with throwing vulnerable people to the wolves; a city council who has dug in their heels and refused to give permission to build a new county jail; and business leaders and residents who feel like public officials aren’t taking their concerns seriously.
And, don’t forget all the taxpayers and business owners who are learning that county leaders sold them a crock of poo in promising that a jail could be built for $260 million when in reality it’s going to take more than twice that amount. It’s a massive calculation blunder that will likely result in a new sales tax, property tax hikes or having to pay interest on the equivalent of a public-private loan to fix. Or maybe all of the above.