Oklahoma County to vote on sales tax hike for new jail

The Oklahoma County Board of County Commissioners voted 2-1 to place a sales tax increase on the November general election ballot. The proposed measure would establish a 0.40% sales tax for 25 years to address a significant funding gap for the construction, operation, and debt coverage of a new Oklahoma County Detention Center.

The tax increase aims to generate over $600 million. The proposal has become a point of contention among local officials, with debates centering on whether to build a new facility or renovate the existing jail.

Adding complexity to the issue, the City of Oklahoma City released preliminary details of its Downtown Strategic Development Plan. The plan includes redevelopment of the current jail site into a film studio and higher education campus, a move that county officials described as a surprise.