Court debates mental‑health diversion center design and approves 16 correctional officer hires to bring inmates back to Hays County

Hays County Commissioners Court spent substantial time May 13 discussing plans to expand mental‑health treatment capacity and the county jail footprint, and separately approved hiring 16 correctional officers to prepare for returning inmates currently housed out of county.

No final contract was authorized for architectural work on a proposed diversion center or jail master‑plan changes. Judge Ruben Becerra and several commissioners said they want more input from the Behavioral Advisory Team, the sheriff’s office and mental‑health experts about the diversion center’s location and design before authorizing additional design work.

What the court did vote on - The court approved a request to hire 16 correctional officers, effective May 1, 2025, to prepare for returning inmates to the Hays County Jail. The sheriff’s office presented the staffing request as necessary to incrementally bring outsourced inmates back as jail capacity and staffing allow. A roll‑call vote recorded all members in favor; the motion passed.

Discussion: diversion center, jail expansion and…