WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS TO LOOK AT ADDING COUNSELOR POSITION FOR JAIL

  

Washington County Commissioners will consider adding a Mental Health Counselor position for the Washington County Jail at their meeting Tuesday.

The court will look at approving amendment of the Jail’s 2019 operating budget to add the counselor position. According to County Judge John Durrenberger, the licensed mental health provider would evaluate prisoners as they’re brought into the jail.

Durrenberger hopes the position would better distinguish who needs to be in jail and who needs to be in a mental health facility. The position would include other as-needed responsibilities, such as medical aid.

According to Durrenberger, starting in September 2020 state law will require county jails to have a mental health counselor on staff.

Also on the agenda, commissioners will continue discussion on the possible purchase of a mobile video surveillance trailer. At its last meeting, the court agreed to submit a grant application through the Homeland Security Grant Program for the trailer.

According to Emergency Management Coordinator Bryan Ruemke, the county has since gotten the grant for the equipment, roughly $63,000. Ruemke said, if the item is passed, the county would take delivery of the trailer in late April or early May.

Commissioners will also act on extending the leases of school properties in Tom Green County. The properties are 619 acres and 404 acres, as set out in the original leases.

Commissioners will also consider:

• Approval of JP-Precinct 1’s request to purchase an Intel i5 desktop computer, wireless keyboard and mouse from JP Technology Funds.
• Authorizing Captain Eric Hensley with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to advertise proposals for inmate food services for the jail.
• Approval for Central Washington Water Supply Corporation by PGMS to perform an 8-inch road bore for a water line extension under Ben Tap Lane, and a parallel water line extension in the county right of way on Somerville Terrace with a 6-inch road bore, in Precinct 3.
• Renewal of the bond for Road and Bridge Road Superintendent Vincent Hensen.
• A right of way permit for Run for the Youth of Washington County.
• Approval of a resolution for the county to become a member of the Texas SmartBuy Membership Program.
• Proclamation of the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month.

Commissioners will meet Tuesday morning at 9 a.m., at the Washington County Courthouse.