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Polk County approves $20,000 feasibility study to assess bringing older jail units into compliance
Summary
The commissioners court authorized up to $20,000 to hire DRG Architects to evaluate whether older portions of the county jail can be brought into compliance with applicable standards, a move county leaders say could be less costly than new construction and may allow the county to return inmates housed out of county.
Polk County commissioners voted on Nov. 25 to authorize the sheriff's office to hire DRG Architects to perform a feasibility study not to exceed $20,000 to assess bringing older jail units into compliance with standards cited in the transcript as the "Texas Commission on Veil Standards." The study will evaluate required work, the method of funding and whether renovating existing space is a more economical option than building new capacity.
The sheriff told the court the county has been exploring options to address rising incarceration levels and the associated costs of housing inmates outside Polk County. "What we're looking at cost so feasibly, it's more feasible and more prudent that we take what we have and try to bring it up to code," the sheriff said, and added that the county has consulted with the original architects to review the facility's condition and potential variances.
Court discussion referenced potential funding sources including contingency funds and surplus IH (adult detention facility) revenue and depository interest. The motion to engage DRG Architects for up to $20,000 was made by Commissioner Robertson and seconded by Commissioner Dubose; the court approved the study by voice vote. The study's outcome will inform the county’s next steps on detention capacity and any necessary budget decisions.
