Oklahoma County Jail Trust Vows to Stay, Seek Sales Tax

New trust chairman says dissolving the trust won't solve the jail's financial problems

Jan. 31, 2026 at 5:55am

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The Oklahoma County jail trust, despite calls for its dissolution, plans to remain in place and will join others in calling for a county sales tax to help address the jail's financial issues, according to the trust's new chairman, Jim Holman. Holman told the county Budget Evaluation Team that the trust will not support dissolving itself, as that won't resolve the problems until the money issues are settled. The trust will support a sales tax initiative once a majority of the nine-member trust agrees to do so.

Why it matters

The Oklahoma County jail has faced numerous challenges, including lawsuits over issues like understaffing. The trust's decision to stay in place and seek a sales tax could have significant implications for the jail's future and the county's approach to criminal justice funding.

The details

Holman, who took over as trust chairman in November, said the trust needs to be more involved in the jail's finances going forward. He acknowledged many of the jail's financial woes stem from decisions made by previous executives. Holman said the trust will work to correct this lack of involvement. The county's Budget Evaluation Team reviewed detention officer and staff salaries, salary increases, vendor contracts, and other financial details during a tense meeting with jail administrator Tim Kimrey, who warned the jail will be broke by May without more funding.

  • On January 16, 2025, the county Citizens Bond Oversight Advisory Board voted to recommend a special sales tax levy to help pay for the new county jail complex.
  • On January 21, 2026, a broader sales tax proposal from Commissioner Jason Lowe died for lack of a second by Commissioners Maughan and Davidson.
  • On January 23, 2026, jail administrator Tim Kimrey gave a dark financial outlook, saying the jail will be broke by May without more money.

The players

Jim Holman

The new chairman of the Oklahoma County jail trust, who took over the role in November. Holman is a retired auto sales executive who has become personally involved in the jail's finances and operations.

Tim Kimrey

The jail administrator who gave a dire financial outlook for the Oklahoma County jail, warning it will be broke by May without more funding.

Tommy Johnson III

The sheriff of Oklahoma County, who has been a trustee on the jail trust since December 30, 2020, the year he was first elected.

Brian Maughan

The District 2 County Commissioner and chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, who had hinted for months that a sales tax election would eventually be called.

Myles Davidson

The District 3 County Commissioner, who had also hinted that a sales tax election would eventually be called.

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What they’re saying

“I can tell you right now, yes, we will support any kind of tax initiative that can help solve these problems. I will not support dissolving the trust because it's not going to (resolve) its problems until the money issues are (settled).”

— Jim Holman, Chairman, Oklahoma County Jail Trust (The Oklahoman)

“What I can say to you all is, irrespective of the detail of the numbers, I think the trust needs to be more involved in the numbers than they have been historically. There was no conversation when I came on this trust − no conversation − about dollars and cents to the extent of being in the detail required for you all to make good decisions.”

— Jim Holman, Chairman, Oklahoma County Jail Trust (The Oklahoman)

What’s next

The Oklahoma County Commissioners will need to decide whether to call a sales tax election to address the jail's financial issues. The jail trust will continue to work on its budget and operations, with the new chairman pledging greater involvement.

The takeaway

The Oklahoma County jail trust's decision to remain in place and seek a sales tax highlights the ongoing challenges facing the county's criminal justice system. The trust's new leadership is promising greater financial oversight, but the jail's long-standing problems will require a sustained, collaborative effort to resolve.