Court approves parallel jail feasibility and non‑carceral studies after public debate

The Commissioners Court approved contracts to begin two parallel studies examining jail infrastructure and community-based alternatives, after lengthy public comment and commissioner debate. The county will engage consultants to produce a carceral feasibility study and a complementary non‑carceral or diversion‑focused analysis; staff said the goal is concrete, data‑driven recommendations to inform whether, where and how to build or repurpose detention capacity.

Director Mills told the court that vendors were selected through an RFQ and that the two studies are intended to inform one another: "We are looking at very specific populations in our jail that are overpopulated, that are probably better served in the community," she said. Commissioners asked for timelines: staff said consultants expect 12–18 months to deliver findings and that preliminary recommendations should be available in 8–9 months. Some public commenters urged the court to prioritize community investments instead of further feasibility studies, and one attendee raised allegations about a vendor’s past contracting history; Purchasing staff said any relevant incidents fell outside the five‑year solicitation window and that references were checked.