Jefferson County approves lease extensions, extends construction schedule for GLO-funded project

Jefferson County Commissioners Court approved a package of purchasing items during its Sept. 10 meeting, including five-year lease extensions for buyout properties, a 90-day time extension on a construction contract tied to a Texas General Land Office (GLO) disaster recovery grant, and amendments to routine service contracts.

The court voted to extend leases for properties acquired through buyout programs for an additional five years, effective Sept. 16, 2024, through Sept. 15, 2029, for the named property owners listed on the agenda. It also approved change order No. 1 to extend the contract completion timeline by 90 calendar days for the crane/biopunk station generators and building work awarded to BDS Constructors, LLC, doing business as MK Constructors, citing delays in receipt of electrical equipment and the main switchboard. The project was originally awarded Aug. 15, 2023, and is funded by a GLO contract, with any additional costs to be covered by Jefferson County Drainage District No. 7 under an interlocal agreement.

The court approved amendment No. 2 to the county’s janitorial services contract to increase service at the Shorty Wood Mid County Office Building, located at 7933 Bitterboat Road, to Monday–Friday at a weighted rate of $307.69 per week and to change service times for Annex 1 to 3 to 9 p.m., with Southeast Texas Building Services, Inc., as the vendor; the change is effective Sept. 16, 2024.

Separately, the court authorized a professional services agreement with LJA Engineering, Inc., for environmental consulting to continue implementation of the Jefferson County stormwater management program from Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025, at an estimated cost of $16,250. It also approved a services agreement with Otten Consulting Group, Inc., for Texas accessibility reviews related to the Jefferson County Diversion Center renovation, funded with ARPA resources.

Commissioner Senegal moved to approve the purchasing package; Commissioner Arnold seconded the motion, and the court approved it by voice vote. The court’s actions preserve grant-funded schedules while authorizing administrative adjustments meant to keep projects moving.

The purchasing package also included authorization to dispose of scrap vehicles through a metal salvage company and to return proceeds to the county, and routine contracting housekeeping tied to procurement code and federal procurement rules cited on the agenda.