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Guadalupe County begins feasibility work on jail expansion, advances A‑Hall renovation planning
Summary
Commissioners directed staff to prioritize a capacity and feasibility study for jail expansion or a new facility and to pursue design services to renovate the county's A‑Hall as a near-term relief option; officials discussed multi-million dollar cost estimates and potential funding needs.
Guadalupe County Commissioners discussed starting a capacity and feasibility study for a major jail expansion or a new detention facility and directed staff to pursue planning and design work to renovate the older A‑Hall as an interim measure.
The discussion centered on rising inmate populations and limited bed capacity at the current facility. County officials said the existing adult detention facility, built in 2001, has a design capacity of roughly 598 beds; county leaders and the sheriff said daily population has climbed into the mid‑400s and has approached the mid‑500s on recent weekends, straining operations.
Officials said they are considering two tracks: a feasibility study and design work for either expanding the existing facility or constructing a new, larger jail. The court discussed earlier cost estimates provided in the meeting, with one estimate cited at about $75 million to $90 million for a substantial expansion and roughly double that for a new facility. Commissioners emphasized that those figures are estimates and urged completion of formal studies and construction‑level cost estimates before committing funds.
As a near‑term measure, commissioners directed staff to move forward with planning and design services for renovating A‑Hall, the older adjoining wing, to recover usable bed space and to include HVAC options (including a chiller) as alternates in bidding. County staff noted existing moisture and shower‑bay deterioration in A‑Hall and that bringing the space back into full use will require significant mechanical work.
Sheriff (name not specified) told the court the jail was "roughly 477 inmates this morning" and that the facility could be pushed to about 550 with recent modifications but that operating at that level would be "tight." He said the county is already reaching out to other jails to determine per‑inmate housing costs if transfers become necessary; officials cited a ballpark of about $100–$110 per inmate per day depending on the receiving facility.
Commissioners asked staff to secure proposals for design and cost estimates and to coordinate closely with the sheriff, the auditor and county project staff. The court discussed using existing budgetary planning funds (staff referenced approximately $1.75 million remaining in current planning/roof/magistrate line items and a previously committed roughly $2 million in planning funds) to start design and feasibility work, while noting construction would require substantially more resources.
Commissioners also raised the possibility of hiring a construction management firm or owner's representative and creating a formal capital improvement program to manage a project of this magnitude, noting the county has not previously overseen an $80 million‑plus construction program.
The court agreed to prioritize the study and to return updated design proposals and cost estimates before the next budget workshop.
