Sheriff's office flags recurring jail roof leaks; court warned replacement could exceed prior cost
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Summary
A representative for the sheriff's department told the quorum court that recent rains re‑exposed a leaking roof and that prior membrane work was a temporary fix; the speaker warned full replacement could cost significantly more than the roughly $200,000 paid previously and said the county should plan for future capital work.
During public comment at the Jan. 8 session, a representative from the sheriff's department told justices the department's roof began leaking again during recent heavy rain and that prior membrane repairs were effectively a "band aid." The speaker said crews had previously installed a membrane and that a contractor warned a full replacement would be needed eventually.
The speaker said the building is large (about 55,000 square feet) and that a prior partial membrane job cost "just over $200,000," but cautioned a complete new roof could cost much more when undertaken. The speaker said they would seek a contractor estimate and return with a ballpark figure at a future meeting.
Justices discussed short‑term patch options and agreed the sheriff's representative should seek a contractor estimate; members noted concerns about spending on interior repairs if a full roof replacement is deferred.
Why it matters: A large roof replacement would be a capital expense affecting county allocations and could appear as a request in future budget discussions.
