Oklahoma County trust projects $5.8M shortfall; pay‑raise plan postponed pending funding

The Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority on Jan. 9 heard that jail operations produced a $626,520 loss for December and that the authority faces a projected fiscal year shortfall of about $5.8 million, prompting trustees to postpone proposed employee pay raises pending firm funding.

A financial presenter reviewed December variances: revenue exceeded budget by $12,502, while total expenses were above budget by $343,488. Detainee prescriptions and off‑site medical care exceeded budget by $132,677; professional medical fees and other professional services were also higher than planned, contributing to the monthly loss. The presenter said state prisoner boarding revenue had declined and the county’s base appropriations have remained largely flat over several years.

Trust staff and the jail administrator described a proposed compensation plan — including a target $50,000 starting annual salary for new detention officers and roughly $2.5 million to implement raises system‑wide — as necessary to retain staff and sustain recent operational gains. Trustees expressed support for raises in principle but repeatedly questioned where funds would come from; one trustee offered a motion to postpone action indefinitely or until funds are available. The motion passed by roll call; trustees said the budget board did not have the required funds at present.

Trustees asked staff to refine the cost detail for raises and to project how implementation would affect the fiscal year shortfall and multi‑year budgets. No compensation changes took effect at the meeting.