Voters in 22 Oklahoma counties cast ballots in local elections Tuesday.
In Garfield County, a 0.3% percent sales tax increase to expand and renovate the county jail was resoundingly voted down. The increase would have funded 82 additional beds and 16,000 more square feet to ease overcrowding of the jail. Officials say the jail has been over capacity for more than a decade.
“No one can dispute that Garfield County has an overcrowding problem in its jail and other challenges that are going unaddressed, such as mental health and substance abuse issues,” jail administrator Ben Crooks told theEnid News & Eagle. “But the voters have decided the level of risks they will accept. I believe that risk is high.”
A similar proposal was rejected by voters last fall, with nearly 63% voting against. On Tuesday, the no vote increased to more than 75%.
In Moore, voters said no to a curbside recycling program, with nearly 55% of the vote against. It’s the second time since 2016 voters have turned the proposition down. The program would have cost residents nearly four dollars more per month, with an increase of 2% every year for five years.
In Norman, nearly 70% of voters approved an increase of their hotel room excise tax from 5% to 8%. Revenue from the tax will be spent on promoting sports tourism and conventions, improving Norman's parks, public art and cultural and music festivals. The tax will only be paid by visitors staying in Norman, not residents.
You can find full results, including those in Ada, Bartlesville, Cashion, Felt, Hobart, Kellyville and Weatherford, on the State Election Board’s website.
This report was produced by the Oklahoma Public Media Exchange, a collaboration of public media organizations. Help support collaborative journalism by donating at the link at the top of this webpage.
