Commissioners authorize roughly $285,000 jail elevator modernization after compliance warning

MARSHALL — Harrison County Commissioners Court on April 8 authorized an immediate modernization of the courthouse jail elevator after the county’s maintenance supervisor said the existing equipment left the facility out of compliance with jail standards.

Maintenance supervisor Brad Thomas told the court the elevator is the only means to move inmates and that replacement parts were delayed; initial informal estimates of $100,000–$115,000 were superseded by a contractor’s capital plan that placed the work at roughly $285,000. Thomas said the work requires replacing multiple control boards and sensors and that, because of a misidentification of the elevator type, the scope grew when technicians inspected the unit.

Auditor Darla Haynes confirmed funds are available in permanent improvement reserves but said a budget amendment will be needed to move the money into the current fiscal budget. Commissioners approved the upgrade and a budget-amendment authorization with a plan for later ratification of the exact contracted cost; the motion passed unanimously.

Court members and staff agreed to expedite contracting and obtain final bids, with a ratification scheduled once the exact contract is available. No alternate operational plan was offered other than prompt repair to restore compliance.