Though the circumstances that have led us to this moment in our history as a community are somewhat complex, my message this month is pretty simple. If you are a resident of Oklahoma County, I ask you to vote “yes” on June 28 to build a new county jail.
This final edition of the 2022 Greater OKC Chamber Business Advocate encompasses major actions that occurred on Chamber priority issues.
June 8, 2022 marks the 20-year anniversary for Paycom Center, Oklahoma City’s premier sports and entertainment destination.
On June 28, Oklahoma County voters will have an opportunity to approve the construction of a new county jail without having to raise taxes to do it. The new jail will replace the current jail that is overcrowded, outdated and poorly designed. This new facility will be more effective, more cost efficient and will help keep us safer.
On Tuesday, June 28, Oklahoma County voters will go to the poll to vote on a $260 million bond issue to fund the construction of a new jail and detention center. The bonds would take the place of retiring bonds, which would mean no tax increase for Oklahoma County residents.
The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber announced today the formation of the Fix The Jail campaign to encourage passage of a county bond issue to build a new county jail and detention center. The resolution calls for a $260 million bond issue to fund the construction. These bonds would take the place of retiring bonds and could be sold without increasing the rate of property taxes for residents.
Following recommendations of the Vera Institute for Justice in 2015, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber began working with city and county leaders to solve overcrowding problems at the Oklahoma County Detention Center. Today, overcrowding has continued trending downward, thanks in large part to diversion programs created or adopted in Oklahoma City.
These bonds would take the place of retiring bonds and could be sold without increasing the rate of property taxes for residents. “The challenges of the Oklahoma County Jail are well documented,” said Roy Williams, president and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.
