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.
What Comes Next
Holman has stated that trustees will support tax initiatives that could address staffing and safety issues, but any proposal would still require commission approval and voter backing, as reported by Central Oklahoma Weeklies. With activists divided and commissioners cautious about rushing a ballot campaign, the county’s approach to funding the jail is expected to be determined in the coming months, either through a ballot measure or a more limited funding agreement.
For the time being, the jail trust remains in place, focusing public discussion on funding for repairs, staffing, and a potential new facility. The key question for Oklahoma County leaders this year is whether voters will approve a new sales tax and whether that outcome could ultimately affect who manages the jail.
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