This drop in to my email...One thing I have heard from people on the street concerning the jail vote, is fear of the threat of the fines and resulting ad valorem taxes to pay for them if we don't act now.
This is a tried and true tactic, but I did some research as a result of The Transcript 10-22 article about the jail inspector.
I asked several questions of the Department of Health today about the jail issue. They handle cases of overcrowding and non-compliance with the Cleveland County Detention Center.
If a jail is found to be out of compliance because of overcrowding, the jail receives an Administrative Compliance Order, which is a directive advising the jail of the non-compliance and giving them 30 days to come into compliance.
It is not uncommon for jails to receive such an order several times a year and to come into compliance in the applicable time frame such that the jail is not subject to any civil monetary penalty. If the jail does not come into compliance within the prescribed time frame, the jail can be fined up to $10,000 per day of noncompliance. Generally, the actual penalty imposed is $500/day.
With regards to CCDC specifically, he advised that for years the Department of Health had allowed CCDC to set their capacity. CCDC set their capacity based on the number of fixed beds in the facility (177).
When [this attorney] took over, the Department of Health went to the jail and measured the square footage of the cells and came up with a more favorable number. Since that time, the jail has not had any overcrowding issues. He said the Department of Health has no open cases against CCDC, and even if overcrowding became an issue, they would likely be flexible with the jail because there is a plan for a long-term solution in place.
For that reason, the Department of Health supports the project, even though overcrowding is not a current problem.
Interestingly, he also said he knows the County actually has the means to build a new jail now. The passage of the sales tax just makes it easier for them and shortens their timeframe somewhat.
There are of course many other issues involved with this vote but they are all blindsided with the scare tactic. There has been very little in the way of public forums and discussion on this 20 year proposal.
I spoke with Freddie Walden yesterday and he expressed that most of the NBA (Norman Business Association) was against the current proposal as well.
I am glad to listen to the will of the people but I think they need some information to decide. The people should make an informed decision without the proverbial gun to their head, there is time to come back with a better offering.
There is no emergency, which would preclude the Commissioners from coming back with another better vote proposal
The sales tax revenue estimates are too conservative but 5.1 million X 10 years still equals 51 million not the $39 million need and they still asked for 20 years Anthony said it would be closer to 7 million a year
The cost of the jail could be reduced and
we could go pay go
1) Stimulus proposals for counties and
municipalities building green to help pay for it
2) Millions saved by county doing the dirt work
3) Build what we need now and add on as we need more
4) Operational cost savings over current jail
5) They paid 8.5 million for the remodel
of the county courthouse from cash
6) 8% ad valorem tax base growth just last year
7) Liddell Lawsuit will add to ad valorem base
(Starts in 2009)
8) If needed, bonds are more specific in language
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