Wichita County sheriff reports roof repairs done, warns jail remains short-staffed

Wichita County commissioners heard a report from the sheriff on Friday that routine maintenance projects at the county jail are mostly complete but staff continue to manage equipment faults and a staffing shortfall.

Will (Sheriff) told the board that a recent roof project looks finished on inspection — "I know they finished the roof project. I don't see the roof there anymore," he said — but staff opened a work order for the door control system after a computer failed to communicate with a door. He said the county will monitor the roof and surrounding masonry for seepage after the next rain.

County staff also briefed commissioners on payroll, salaries and overtime. Citing Wilmer's status report, staff said the jail currently has two open positions with a third expected next week; seven new hires are scheduled to start next week. During discussion staff described the facility as short of the number of jailers needed to run all shifts and noted ongoing overtime impacts. The county did not provide a precise, verified single-number total for the staffing shortfall during the meeting; earlier remarks in the discussion characterized the facility as significantly understaffed.

Commissioners framed the staffing update as part of routine operational oversight; there was no formal vote on staffing changes or new funding in the session. The meeting opened with a procedural motion to "entertain for Judge Proina," which commissioners approved by voice vote, and the board proceeded into the agenda items.

The board asked staff to continue monitoring maintenance work orders and to report back with any cost or schedule changes tied to repairs or hiring. No new policy directive or budget authorization was made during the session.