Local
Oklahoma County’s $50 million behavioral care center could remain unused if tax fails
The county’s Behavioral Care Center is expected to be completed, but it may not open if voters reject a proposed public safety sales tax on Nov. 3. Commissioner Brian Maughan said the county likely would lack the money needed to operate it.
Oklahoma County voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to approve a proposed public safety sales tax that would help fund county services, including operations tied to the jail. If the measure fails, the county’s $50 million Behavioral Care Center could be finished but left unused, Commissioner Brian Maughan said.
The center, planned as part of the county’s response to behavioral health needs connected with the jail, would require operating funds beyond its construction. Maughan said the county probably would not have that money if voters reject the tax.
The election will determine whether the county can put the facility into use after construction. The available details do not specify how much it would cost to operate the center or what services it would provide.