Gregg County approves jail medical contract increase, authorizes inmate labor for historical museum

Gregg County Commissioners Court on Dec. 22, 2025 approved a contract renewal and pay increase for Dr. Gary White, the county's jail medical director, and authorized inmate labor to assist the Gregg County Historical Museum on Jan. 6 and Jan. 8, 2026.

Sheriff Russell presented the medical contract item, tracing the county's relationship with Dr. White back to January 2016 and saying the county had been "very pleased with his services." The sheriff told the court the proposed contract includes a pay increase; he said the county would not bring a budget amendment because the increase would be absorbed within the existing budget.

The court approved the contract by voice vote after a motion from Commissioner Wingo and a second by Commissioner McKenna. "We did adjust the contract in 2021 during COVID and he has had no pay increase since 2021," the sheriff said in support of the renewal.

On a separate sheriff item, the court approved using inmate labor to assist the Gregg County Historical Museum under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 43.10. The museum initially requested three days of inmate labor; the sheriff recommended and secured approval for two days (Jan. 6 and Jan. 8, 2026) to fit the county's schedule.

Motions and next steps: Both actions were approved by voice vote. County staff said they would coordinate scheduling and ensure the work conforms to statutory requirements for inmate labor.

Context: The jail medical contract affects health services for inmates and has been in place since 2016; the inmate labor authorization is described as support for a nonprofit museum and is limited to two days per the county's operational constraints.