Van Zandt County commissioners table call for May jail bond after public and internal concern

The Van Zandt County Commissioners Court on a motion voted to table a call for a countywide bond election on a proposed new jail, deferring the decision to allow more public outreach and additional information gathering.

Resident Thomas Duke urged the court to indefinitely suspend plans for a proposed new jail he said is estimated at $145,000,000, calling the project “unaffordable” and arguing the county should first address chronic shortages of deputies and jailers before pursuing a large construction bond. “If we spend $145,000,000 on a new jail complex, we will never be able to hire and retain an adequate force,” Duke told the court during the public-comment period.

The court’s action came after back-and-forth among commissioners about timing and public understanding. One commissioner said a May election would give voters a chance to decide; others said the public remains confused about what is included in the proposal and asked for more time to present facts and estimates, including operating costs associated with a larger…