Wichita County receives update on jail and LEC maintenance; cameras, filters and gate repairs noted

Wichita County Commissioners on Friday received a status update on facility maintenance at the county Law Enforcement Center (LEC) and jail from Chief Deputy Will Rutledge.

Rutledge told the court that vehicle-gate rollers had been replaced, HVAC filters at county facilities were changed Feb. 25, and staff had started installing surveillance cameras in the Criminal Investigations Division and the DWI room. Over the most recent period Rutledge reported about 41 new work orders and routine maintenance activity across pods in the jail.

The update said crews are continuing touch-up and rehab work through the jail pods identified as A, B, C and D. Rutledge also reported fuel was added to the standby generator (about 1,500 gallons) ahead of cold weather, and preventive maintenance remains on the schedule.

Members briefly discussed a separate, larger grant program being handled by the state Public Utility Commission that is intended for generators and other critical infrastructure such as jails, fire and police departments; Rutledge raised that as potential external funding to watch.

No formal action or vote was taken; the briefing was informational and commissioners directed staff to continue scheduled preventive maintenance and to monitor potential grant opportunities.

Ending: Commissioners did not adopt new policy at the session; staff will return with follow-ups as needed and continue to process the outstanding work orders.