Willacy County tables sheriff’s office phone upgrade amid budget questions

Willacy County Commissioners Court on March 12 heard a presentation from the sheriff about a proposed upgrade to the sheriff’s office and jail telephone system, but the court voted to table the request pending clarification of costs and funding sources.

The sheriff said the county has experienced recurring problems with the existing phone system and detailed a vendor proposal from BTX (presentation materials cited one‑time install charges and a monthly hosted UC/service option). The transcript lists a one‑time installation charge of about $4,322.50 and recurring monthly components presented in the quote (the record includes a line with $113.30 per month and other per‑phone charges; current monthly spend for sheriff/jail was reported as approximately $374.35).

“I think we need to make sure it’s not going to be an additional increase,” a county official said, noting any added service would require funding in the sheriff’s budget. The sheriff noted BTX has provided loaner phones in the past and that the new proposal would restore phones in areas that currently lack them, including booking and certain offices.

Commissioners asked whether alternate vendors had been solicited, whether a current lease exists, and how the monthly charges would affect the sheriff’s budget and the county’s FY budget process. Because some pricing elements and the funding source were unclear on the record, the court moved to table the item. The motion to table carried.

Next steps: staff and the sheriff will provide detailed cost breakdowns, clarify whether charges are additional to current service, and return the item to a future agenda for formal approval if requested.