Oklahoma County PropositionOklahoma County: new 0.40% sales tax for jail, diversion and mental health (25 years)
What your vote means
Oklahoma County adds a 0.40% sales tax for 25 years, for the jail, diversion and mental health.
No county sales tax is added.
Our one-line summary of the official wording.
In plain words
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
- Asks Oklahoma County voters to approve a new county sales tax of 0.40%, or 40 cents on every $100 you spend on taxed items. It is added on top of today's state and city sales taxes. source: oklahomacounty.legistar.com
- The tax would run 25 years, April 1, 2027 through March 31, 2052. source: oklahomacounty.legistar.com
- The money could be used only for the county jail, for diversion (programs that keep people out of jail, like treatment), and for mental health buildings and programs, including building, running, paying off and staffing them. source: oklahomacounty.legistar.com
- County commissioners placed it on the ballot by a 2-1 vote on Aug. 12, 2026 (Maughan and Foster yes, Lowe no). source: nondoc.com
- Background (NonDoc): voters approved $260 million in borrowing for a new jail in 2022; the jail is now expected to cost about $860 million and hold about 1,800 people. Oklahoma County is reported to be the only one of the state's 77 counties without a county sales tax. source: nondoc.com
Cost: 40 cents on every $100 of taxed purchases in Oklahoma County, for 25 years. About $70 million a year (NonDoc, citing county officials); about $44 million a year would repay the jail loans and the rest would run the jail, per the chair of the citizens' committee that oversees the jail borrowing. Source: https://nondoc.com/2026/08/12/game-on-oklahoma-county-commissioners-set-jail-sales-tax-vote-for-nov-3-ballot/
Why people want it, and why others object
Why supporters want it
- Commissioner Brian Maughan: the plan has community backing and is the fastest, most achievable way to solve the jail funding gap. source: nondoc.com
- Commissioner Paul Foster: the issue has dragged on too long and delay will make the jail more expensive. source: nondoc.com
- Citizens Bond Oversight Committee chair Steve Mason: the committee sees the tax as a good solution. source: nondoc.com
Why opponents object
- Commissioner Jason Lowe: county officials were not transparent about the jail site, earlier phased construction was reckless, and the tax will not fix the jail's safety problems. source: nondoc.com
- Jail critic Mark Faulk: the tax would hurt Del City and Midwest City; the county should fund programs that reduce arrests instead. source: nondoc.com
- Del City and Midwest City officials opposed a county sales tax earlier in 2026, citing concerns about the jail site. source: nondoc.com
Who backs each side
No public record found of a campaign committee or campaign money for either side.
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
Word for word from Exhibit A of the county commissioners' Resolution 2026-3395, the proposition as it will appear on the ballot: oklahomacounty.legistar.com .
PROPOSITION FOR A SALES TAX INCREASE IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY
Shall Oklahoma County be authorized to levy and assess a new four-tenths of one percent (0.40%) sales tax? This sales tax will apply to all sales taxable under the sales tax laws of the State. This sales tax will be in addition to existing state and local sales taxes. This sales tax will be used to operate, maintain, construct, renovate, finance, equip, and pay staff of county detention, diversion, and mental health facilities and programs. This sales tax will be for a period of twenty-five (25) years. This sales tax will start on April 1, 2027, and will end on March 31, 2052. A “yes” vote will increase sales taxes in Oklahoma County by 0.40%. A "yes" vote will not decrease taxes in Oklahoma County. This sales tax will only be used for the purposes described by this Proposition.
- YES - FOR THE ABOVE PROPOSITION
- NO - AGAINST THE ABOVE PROPOSITION
Latest news
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