Cass County updates: jail ventilation fixed, drainage and flooring work pending; population near 355–365

County staff updated the committee on a series of jail facility and operational issues, saying air-duct work across the roof has been completed to relieve pressure and prevent ceiling tiles from popping out, but a few mechanical and balancing issues remain.

"The air duct was run across the roof and ... that's all been completed, and is 100%." Speaker 4 said, while noting staff continue to tune controls and address areas that are overheating.

Staff also reported maintenance work needed in showers where water does not drain properly; those repairs require moving inmates and sequencing work because the air-duct fixes were a prerequisite. A flooring contractor has been difficult to secure for smaller patch work, though staff said they would use available downtime to rehabilitate older cells.

Population numbers discussed in the meeting were presented without attribution to a named official: Speaker 3 said the jail has been averaging about 355 inmates and previously reached as many as 405 soon after the new pod opened; the facility's old capacity before the pod was 348.

Commissioners raised who will pay for drainage and floor work if those are construction defects. Staff said the county did not pay for the return (roof) issue and that a separate contingency fund tied to the Johnson project will cover floor repairs; they emphasized they do not expect the county general fund to absorb those specific costs. One commissioner said if a contractor failed to slope a drain correctly, that contractor should be responsible.

No formal votes were taken. Staff will continue coordinating contractor scheduling and inmate movements required to complete remaining repairs.