County officials are now scrambling to build a new jail. On Jan. 13, voters defeated a half-cent sales tax to finance the construction of an $11 million, 228-bed jail. If money is not secured soon, the county could face up to $10,000 in fines a day for being in violation of a state Health Department order.
In Washington County, officials are mired in a lawsuit over land designated for a new jail. The 5.4-acre lot cost the county $187,000, but needed to be rezoned. The city council initially voted down the rezoning, only to approve the change at a later vote.
A group called Neighbors For Justice L.L.C., then filed a lawsuit in district court against the city of Bartlesville on Sept. 23, declaring the second council vote illegal. The case goes to trial March 23.
In the meantime, jail administrator Gordon Brown said the county is spending $6,000 to $10,000 a month housing its prisoners in other jails.
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