Detention center expansion moves toward workshop; jail population and repairs discussed

Jailer Bruce Todd told the Henderson County Fiscal Court on Aug. 26 that the detention center currently houses 120 county inmates, 143 state inmates and 208 federal inmates and that planning continues for a proposed expansion. Todd said bids are being received to seal-coat and re-stripe the detention-center parking lot and that the facilityloading dock will need to be replaced in a future project because it is becoming unsafe for use. Judge/Executive Brad Schneider asked when a workshop on expansion could be held; after discussion the court set a workshop date of Thursday, Sept. 4 at 3 p.m. Why it matters: the jailpopulation levels and facility conditions inform budgeting and planning for capacity, maintenance and safety. Details: Todd reported current counts as 120 county inmates, 143 state inmates and 208 federal inmates. He reported the court is receiving bids for pavement maintenance of the parking lot and identified the loading dock replacement as a future safety project. The workshop scheduled for Sept. 4 is intended to discuss expansion planning; no formal vote or project contract was recorded at the Aug. 26 meeting. Ending: The court set a workshop; staff will bring expansion planning materials and bid information to that session for further discussion.