Ottawa County voters asked to pay for $33 million jail death judgment
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Ottawa County, Oklahoma, voters will decide Tuesday whether to approve a 1-cent sales tax to help pay a multimillion-dollar federal judgment stemming from the death of a man at the county jail.
The proposed tax would remain in place through Dec. 31, 2042, or until debt tied to the judgment is paid off.
County officials have said revenue from the tax would be dedicated to paying the judgment and related costs.
The case stems from the 2015 death of 26-year-old Terral Ellis II, who became seriously ill while being held at the Ottawa County Jail.
Ellis died from septic shock caused by acute bronchopneumonia.
A federal jury awarded Ellis’ estate $33 million after finding the county violated his constitutional right to adequate medical care.
Interest, attorney fees and other costs have pushed the county’s financial obligation above the original $33 million award.
County officials have warned that if the sales tax fails, the judgment will still have to be paid and another funding method could place a significant burden on property taxpayers.
