Budget board recommends $800,000 reallocation to fund detainee transportation amid jail payment dispute

The Budget Evaluation Team recommended transferring $800,000 from the Criminal Justice Authority budget to a new general‑government line to pay for detainee transportation while a court‑ordered service dispute continues.

The motion, drafted by board members, would create an inmate transportation line within general government and cap monthly reimbursements to the Criminal Justice Authority. Brandon Holmes, representing the sheriff's office, told the board the county has continued to provide transportation despite not receiving payment: “We are currently providing it for the month of August, and it's and, and so far, we will not be paid for any any of those services.” Board members discussed mechanics for shifting the appropriation and options to temporarily invoice general government so the sheriff can be paid monthly while the legal matter is resolved.

Board counsel and staff worked through options to avoid duplicative funding flows through the jail trust and to ensure invoices reflect service actually provided. A draft motion read by a member described the purpose: “the purpose of the transfer and creation of the line item is to pay the entity responsible for transportation of detainees to and from the Oklahoma County Detention Center to court per a judicial order.”

The board approved recommending the transfer and creation of the new line to the budget board; the motion passed by voice vote with one abstention. The recommendation instructs the county clerk/treasurer to create an encumbered purchase order to pay the entity providing transport services pending resolution of the related court case and trust accounting.