TDCJ board approves FY 2026 operating budget, names Bobby Lumpkin next executive director and greenlights dorm, facility and contract actions

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Aug. 2025 approved the Texas Department of Criminal Justice27s proposed fiscal year 2026 operating budget and a set of construction, purchase and contract items, and it appointed Bobby Lumpkin as the agency27s next executive director effective Sept. 1, 2025.

Board members said the budget and the projects address long-standing needs including staff pay, medical and mental-health capacity, facility repairs and new air-conditioned housing. The board approved the operating budget after an extensive line-by-line review with agency finance staff and follow-up discussion by members.

The approved operating plan incorporates major items the Legislature funded this session: targeted pay increases for correctional staff and parole officers; $118 million for air conditioning of beds; roughly $214.8 million for major repair and renovation projects; $301 million to construct 14 expansion dorms (5,600 beds); funding to reopen idled units; and $304.6 million to maintain inmate health care, officials said.

Ron Steffa, TDCJ chief financial officer, summarized the package to the board, calling the session27s appropriations "unprecedented" and listing capital, staffing and program items included in the LBB and appropriations language. Steffa27s presentation noted funding for new inmate dorms, increased probation and diversion funding, expanded IT and training investments, and a $319,813 executive director salary included in the General Appropriations Act.

The board also voted to: - Approve a $110 million legislative appropriation to buy the Giles Dalby Correctional Facility in Post (the Legislature provided funding for the purchase), - Approve construction of 14 new 400-bed, air-conditioned expansion dormitories at 13 units (5,600 beds total) to address population projections, and - Approve a series of high-dollar purchases and contract renewals (including an inmate tablet contract and a $30 million deferred-maintenance contract with UTMB for Hospital Galveston).

In voting actions, the board moved and approved the fiscal year 2026 operating budget (motion by Gen. Bill Welch, second by Dr. Rodney Burrow) and later confirmed Bobby Lumpkin as executive director (motion by Dr. Burrow, second by Judge Molly Francis). The purchases-and-contracts package was moved by Tom Fordyce and seconded by Judge Francis; Chairman Eric Nichols recorded an abstention on that item because of a potential conflict and did not participate in that vote.

Board chair Eric Nichols said the package of appropriations and projects positions the department to address urgent infrastructure and staffing shortfalls and build on work begun under outgoing Executive Director Brian Collier.

Votes at a glance - FY 2026 Operating Budget: approved (motion: Gen. Bill Welch; second: Dr. Rodney Burrow). Vote tally: not specified in transcript. Outcome: approved. - Purchases & contracts over $1,000,000 (11 items including tablet, telephone, UTMB deferred maintenance): approved (motion: Tom Fordyce; second: Judge Molly Francis). Chairman Nichols abstained. Outcome: approved. - Purchase of Giles Dalby Correctional Facility (Post): approved (motion: Sydney Ziker; second: Dr. Rodney Burrow). Outcome: approved. - Construction: 14 expansion dorms (5,600 AC dorm beds across 13 units): approved (motion: Judge Molly Francis; second: Vice Chair Faith Johnson). Outcome: approved. - Hobby Unit multipurpose building (Marlin): approved (motion: Pastor Nate Sprinkle; second: Gen. Bill Welch). Outcome: approved. - Selection/appointment of Bobby Lumpkin as executive director, effective Sept. 1, 2025: approved (motion: Dr. Rodney Burrow; second: Judge Molly Francis). Outcome: approved.

What the board and agency said matters Steffa and other agency staff told trustees that the budget follows legislative direction to focus on safe operations, staff pay and retention, increased mental-health capacity, and planned capital investments including air-conditioning and water projects. Facilities director Ron Hudson reported on active construction and the pace of procurement and design work; he noted lead times for HVAC equipment and progress on specific roofing and water projects.

The board27s appointments and spending approvals come as TDCJ finishes a multi-year rebuilding of training and technology systems initiated under outgoing Executive Director Brian Collier. Nichols and other members thanked Collier at the meeting and announced that the agency27s new training center will be named the Brian Collier Leadership and Training Center.

Ending The board scheduled its next meeting for October 2025 in El Paso and adjourned following the roll call on agenda items. Agency staff will bring implementation details and procurement schedules back to the board and to standing committees as projects move from design to construction.