"We are at the saturation point," Hetherington said.

The Cleveland County Detention Center was built in the 1980s to hold 177 prisoners. The center averages more than 200 prisoners and has for the past few years. The Oklahoma State Department of Health has mandated that the county fix the problem or the health department will shut down the jail or fine the county $10,000 a day.

"I have been in office less than two years and before I was even sworn in, Don Garrison (a jail inspector with the Oklahoma State Department of Health) said it was time to move forward," Sullivan said. "If we don't get this done, I really think he will impose the fine."

"I hate taxes," said former state Rep. Thad Balkman.

He hates the threat of crime more, which is why he decided to raise his family here, he said.

The special election is Dec. 9 calling for a one-fourth of one cent sales tax.

Sheriff-elect Joe Lester agrees there is a need for the jail.

"There are over 12,000 warrants for arrest sitting over there right now," he said.

"I think it is the responsibility of representatives and others to attend the meetings to get educated," Commissioner Rod Cleveland said.

He said he and the other commissioners make 50 to 100 calls to inform people about the meetings. The Cleveland County Justice Authority was formed 18 months ago, he said, and financial experts have attended the meetings and others about jail matters.

Norman citizens are willing to invest in parks and other things for Norman and hopefully they'll be willing to invest in this, Cleveland said.

The bottom line is "We're going to build a jail," Roger Warren, chairman of the Republican Party said. "How are we going to fund it?"