Wilson proposes Oxbow closure and $575 million jail bond
The Salt Lake County budget proposal would expand Metro Jail and still needs council approval.
Correction, Oct. 21: what we corrected ↓
Based on reporting by KSL.com. Read the original story →
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson has proposed closing Oxbow Jail and issuing about $575 million in bonds to expand and renovate Metro Jail, KSL reported Tuesday. The plan is part of her proposed 2027 budget and has not been approved by the County Council. [1]
The county describes the plan as adding more than 800 beds at the Adult Detention Center, also called Metro Jail, and closing Oxbow Jail. Its proposal also includes additional treatment and care capacity. [2]
The county says a proposed 13.53% increase in its portion of the property-tax bill would repay the approximately $575 million bond. It estimates an annual increase of $70.21 for a home valued at $658,000. Officials are planning on a bond term of about 25 years, but the final term has not been set. A public budget hearing is scheduled for Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. [2]
Correction, Oct. 21: The earlier version gave inconsistent figures for added, removed and net jail beds. That passage has been replaced with the county's description of more than 800 new Metro Jail beds and Oxbow's closure. The tax increase applies to the county portion of the property-tax bill; the proposed bond term is not final.
Sources
- KSL.com · Wilson proposes closing Oxbow Jail in county budget, October 20, 2026
- Salt Lake County · 2027 budget and tax-increase proposal, checked Oct. 21, 2026
This story was written by AI from the report by KSL.com, which has the full story. How we write stories.