Cass County jail opening delayed after security glazing not ordered; commissioners press contractor for expedited shipment

Cass County commissioners were told this week that the county’s new jail pod may be handed over later than the previously announced mid-May date after the project’s security glazing was not ordered on schedule.

Architect Danielle Reed said the construction team notified county staff last week that “the security glazing piece of the project, unfortunately, wasn't ordered when it was supposed to be ordered.” Reed said the glazing is expected to ship by the end of the month and the contractor proposed moving the May 12 turnover to June to allow two to three weeks for on-site installation.

The delay would affect planned training inside the new facility. Sheriff Johnner told the commission the department intended to take custody of the new pod and then use two to three weeks for staff to train and “get comfortable with operating the pod” before accepting inmates. Reed said staff should not enter for training until proof that safety systems — fire alarms, security and sprinkler systems — are complete.

Commission Chair Tony Greenberg expressed frustration at the lapse. “Somebody forgot to order the glass is unacceptable,” Greenberg said, and asked staff to press the contractor to expedite shipment even at higher cost if necessary. Reed said alternative manufacturers were considered but would add more delay because of resubmittal requirements; she said the contractor’s schedule appeared to be the fastest option.

County staff and commissioners discussed seeking a partial occupancy exception from the city as a potential workaround so training could begin earlier if all other systems were complete. County staff also said the general contractor, identified in the meeting as Meineke Johnson, is responsible for ordering the glazing and managing subcontractors.

Commissioners asked to be invited to the contractor’s Thursday construction meeting to monitor progress and to obtain a clearer delivery date; a construction representative had told the county on the previous Friday that the best estimate for arrival was May 30 and that installation could take roughly two weeks. Officials emphasized the county will not accept additional cost increases for the delay: “The county is not going to pay for any increase,” a county official said.

The delayed handover also ties into county budget and staffing plans. Commissioners previously discussed budgeting for partial staffing of the new pod in 2025 and full staffing in 2026. County staff said the county’s public testimony on property tax and fiscal modeling assumed hiring would proceed and that a formal commission action is needed to authorize the staffing and associated budget adjustments.

The commission directed staff to press the contractor for an answer on expediting delivery and to place a formal budget/staffing action on a future agenda.

The county did not announce a revised firm handover date at the meeting. The source of the glazing and whether expedited shipping is available were described as “not specified” by county staff pending follow up with the contractor.