County Judge called the Shaw County Commissioners Court to review jail maintenance on Aug. 22, 2025, focusing on recurring roof leaks and other equipment failures that county staff say require both short-term fixes and longer-term resolution of warranty responsibility. Chief (jail administrator) told the court the facility also has a 15‑year‑old laundry washing machine that must be replaced.

The matter matters because county staff identified ongoing water intrusion across roof seams and around rooftop equipment that could cause additional damage if not controlled. “We probably need to move forward with making the repairs that we had the quote for earlier,” Chief said, adding that the county will continue to pursue warranty coverage. The judge asked whether the county’s insurance and its counsel should be involved for possible subrogation; Chief said no insurance claim has been filed yet and explained the county has about $17,000 in documented damage so far.

Commissioners and staff described a disputed responsibility among contractors and product vendors. Carlisle, the membrane manufacturer, was discussed repeatedly as the vendor the county would ask to inspect the whole roof system; staff said Carlisle’s inspector had identified installation issues but that the company had previously offered field fixes when the system was originally accepted. The court discussed whether involving Texas Association of Counties (TAC) adjusters, insurance counsel or bonding language in future contracts could strengthen the county’s position. Judge and commissioners raised the possibility of using contract language such as bonds or warranties that survive a change in contractor ownership to “hold feet to the fire.”

Staff said the quoted repairs include patching holes, addressing gaps where the membrane attaches to walls, replacing flashing around units and inspecting vertical seams around the roof perimeter. Chief said the quoted work addressed some visible problem areas but that the larger concern is identifying hidden failures that expand as the roof cycles with temperature and use. “The big problem is going to be finding it all,” a commissioner said. Staff recommended bringing impartial experts to inspect and identify all failure points before full replacement.

Separately, county staff reported a laundry machine failure: Chief said a major washing machine in the jail laundry, “about 15 years old,” is down and will be replaced. No firm replacement vendor or purchase order was presented at the meeting.

The court did not take a formal vote on purchase or replacement at the meeting. The discussion concluded with direction to pursue immediate, targeted repairs to reduce ongoing water intrusion while continuing warranty and insurance review and engaging outside adjusters or independent inspectors if necessary.