County approves agreement to house overflow inmates in Brooks County; Sheriff’s Office pursues GEO option

Jim Wells County Commissioners Court on July 14 approved an intergovernmental agreement to house overflow inmates at the Brooks County Jail and heard the sheriff’s office outline cost and logistics considerations while it pursues an additional GEO (private contractor) option in Brooks County. "We're looking for options to get housing a little bit closer," Chief Deputy Ray Aguilar of the Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office said, noting current placements in multiple counties and travel burdens for court and custody operations.

Aguilar said the county currently contracts to house inmates in Maverick County at about $75 per day; the Brooks County arrangement would be roughly $65–$67 per inmate per day and substantially closer, reducing six‑hour round trips for court appearances. He said Brooks County can initially accept about eight inmates; GEO's facility in Brooks County could potentially house "up to a 100 and something" inmates if that contract is finalized.

Court action: a motion to approve the intergovernmental agreement was made and seconded and adopted by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript. Commissioners and sheriff's staff discussed that some inmates will remain in other counties until the Brooks and GEO placements are available and that the agreement is intended to lower daily housing costs and travel time for sheriff's deputies and court scheduling.

Discussion versus decision: the court approved entering the agreement with Brooks County; officials said the county will continue to pursue GEO for larger capacity and move inmates when contracts and capacity allow. No specific contract with GEO was approved at the meeting.

Operational impacts: staff cited expected savings on daily per‑inmate housing costs and vehicle wear‑and‑tear, and said closer housing should reduce advance travel requirements for bringing inmates to in‑county court sessions.