Tuesday, May 7, 2024
has a significantly growing population and is also in ever increasing need of jail space.
Heffelfinger told Weddle he had an idea and offered to draw up a concept design for jail expansion at no additional cost to the county.
Weddle and Commissioner Kyle Matthews traveled to Austin to meet with Brandon Wood, executive director of the jail standards commission, and two assistant directors to lay out the proposal.
“They were not there to admonish us (at that meeting) but to assist us,” Weddle said. “We got an approval letter – literally got a commitment based on that design (of Heffelfinger’s). To get that type of approval letter this quickly is outstanding – and that goes to (Heffelfinger) and his reputation.”
Weddle said by utilizing the existing facility and property, “95% of this expansion is dedicated to housing inmates (rather than adding kitchen or laundry facilities). It will also give us some nice upgrades and flexibility. Every cell will be maximum security, which includes medical and isolation cells.”
The commissioners court recently approved a justice center project nearby at the corner of Leon and Main streets, and Weddle said the county could enjoy additional savings by having the projects underway at the same time.
Heffelfinger said he had been “listening to and understanding the process of this (jail) housing situation that’s out of hand. I’ve been through the jail many times and visited with the sheriff. I got a design drawn up and shared it with the sheriff’s office and got a blessing from the sheriff’s office (for the expansion).
When he was going through the jail, he said he saw a stack of papers and asked what those were. Told they were targets, he looked behind the stack and found original plans for the jail which allowed for an expansion similar to the one he proposed.
“On this site plan, we are literally going to the edge of your current property,” Heffelfinger said. “We are looking at tying on to the existing building on the west side. We would break through the existing corridor for additional cells. This would also give us a place for a negative pressure medical cell.
“At the southwest corner, we’d have a six-person flexible cell. It could be used for women or men, which would help with the shortage of existing women’s cells. Adding 47 beds to 92 when the population exceeds 150 is not the be-all end-all. But finding space when you are 10 inmates over will be helpful.”
The 4,900 square foot space could be completed in the summer of 2023.
“I challenged the (jail standards) commissioner on the timeline,” Heffelfinger said. “The contractor is known for quick work but they said (it would take) eight months. I said that ain’t good enough – we need it in six. They said it’s supply chain issues but if you can bid out items in advance, they can get it done in six months.”
Total cost estimate is $4,547,250 “and I’m pretty confident that would go,” Heffelfinger said. He added that the contractor would have an escalation clause if work was put off.
Weddle asked Sheriff Scott Williams if he supported the proposal.
“Absolutely,” Williams said. “Just looking at it, I can’t believe y’all figured out a way to expand the jail we have. That’s worth applause in itself. It’s a smart idea – smarter than the temporary housing outside as far as staffing. It keeps us all in one place.
“It would help us tremendously and would cut back on transportation costs. Right now, our transportation is as far away as eight hours. If we could rein that in, it would help tremendously.
“I’m 10,000% on board. Any relief beats no relief. We would be able to use the transport jailers to man the (new) facilities.”
Heffelfinger said the jail standards commission director “tried to poke a hole in (the proposal) several times. We were able to come up with a solution to his concerns every time.”
The tax note financing which the commissioners court is exploring would be for seven years or less, and must include approval from the county auditor’s office.
“This is a need and not a want,” Weddle said. “I am personally embarrassed when I see our name listed with 12 other counties not in compliance. It will fulfill our jail housing requirements 80% of the time. If you have to transport six to 10 inmates, it is so much easier than 50-60.
“It would have a minimal to no impact on tax rates – we are already spending $1.8 million a year to house inmates out of county.”
Based on a seven-year schedule, Weddle estimated payments of $774,358 per year. “This is absolutely viable, affordable and a time-bound solution we can move forward on,” he said.
Matt Dossey, chairman of the county’s facilities committee, asked how long this temporary solution would be expected to be in place.
“The court really hasn’t discussed the timeframe,” County Judge Roger Miller said. “In my mind, it is a 5- to 7-year timeframe. I believe it is a 5 to 7-year solution.”
Matthews said time is critical in the process.
“In our visit with the jail commission, we were told we need to be working on a new jail within three years,” he said. “We’d be able to sell (space in the current facility) to Bell County. They can’t get enough (jail) beds.”
“It will be a good rentable property for us in the future,” Weddle said. “I know this is an interim fix. A new jail won’t leave my mind.”
Matthews said not presenting a solution to the jail housing crisis is not an option for the county.
“We have to come up with a viable solution,” he said. “I don’t want to see them make an example of us. (Jailers) are having to drive all the way to Zapata (near the southern border with Mexico). We’ve got to start doing something rather than kicking the can down the road.”
