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September 5, 2008

County gets jail update

Commissioners OK some additional items, deny others

By Rich Flowers News Editor

The Henderson County Commissioners Court discussed jail expansion issues Wednesday as the often delayed construction project nears completion.

Commissioners took a close look at each of the four items presented to the court by Henderson County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Ben Kinder. Regarding the issue, commissioners:

• denied a request for a change order to install a new electrical panel in the renovated dispatch area at a cost of $5,350.95;

• approved a change order crediting the county $4,810 for money saved by not having to hire a subcontractor to spread topsoil around the building;

• approved a change to a door that connects the room where intoxicated people are housed to the sally port — a loading area — to make it swing outward instead of inward; and

• asked Kinder to consult Purchasing Director Sherrie Carmichael concerning a recommendation that the county spend $4,758.90 for two medicine carts and an examination table to be used in the treatment of inmates.

Kinder said the need for the electrical panel was discovered when additional demand was placed on the original connection. Forty-four thousand dollars set aside for renovation of the dispatch area has already been spent, leaving none for the $5,385 addition.

“They went back and reviewed their electrical capability,” Kinder said, “and now they’ve put in an air conditioning unit for that section and more electrical outlets.”

Kinder said the generator room on the outside of the sally port was the nearest source for the 100-amp connection.

Pct. 2 Commissioner Wade McKinney asked if a 200-amp connection might better prepare the jail for future demands on the system.

“Why not put 200 in there so you don’t overload the system in 10 or 15 years?” McKinney asked.

Kinder said the source of the connection could handle a 200-amp load and a larger load would have to come from farther away.

“That would probably increase the expense, to do that,” Kinder said.

Kinder said he had asked for a representative of the company building the jail, Templeton Construction, to appear at the meeting to explain the requests, but none was available.

Commissioners decided to deny the purchase of the panel until discussions with Templeton could be held.

“I like having all of these discussions in open court,” McKinney said. “It’s a minor issue but they want to hide and talk — they don’t want to talk in public.”

Kinder said any delay in action by the commissioners could delay a Sept. 9 inspection of the dispatch by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.

“We’ll target for next week to have this on the agenda and get some answers,” County Judge David Holstein said.

In other action commissioners:

• tabled action on a submitted list of 2009 sheriff’s department and constables fees for serving legal documents;

• approved a renewal contract with United Health Care for vision insurance;

• approved the sale of a lot in Hidden Hills Harbor for $1,000; and

• approved payment of bills in the amount of $398,255.20.

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