UPDATE: NEW DELAYS ANTICIPATED IN SECURING JAIL GENERATOR
Update @ 5 p.m.: KWHI has learned of new developments in the effort to secure a generator for the Washington County Jail that could lead to a longer-than-expected timeline.
Sheriff Otto Hanak alerted KWHI this (Tuesday) afternoon of a problem that newly surfaced, leading to more delays. Commissioner Don Koester confirmed there was an error with the equipment ordered by the contractor, which could significantly extend the amount of time before the county receives the equipment it needs.
KWHI plans to speak with Koester tomorrow (Wednesday) to learn more about the situation.
Original Story @ 2 p.m.: A years-long process to obtain a generator for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office appears to be approaching its end.
During a workshop at today’s (Tuesday) county commissioners meeting to provide an update on the jail generator, Commissioner Don Koester said the generator is expected to be delivered in November, while construction of the generator pad and other equipment needed to place the generator is planned to begin next month.
In April, the court approved the purchase of a 500 kW Caterpillar diesel generator with a generator pad, docking station and equipment pads through a contract with W-Industries. The purchase, totaling $702,169, was slated to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
The jail has been renting a temporary generator since December 2021. At the April commissioners meeting, Koester said close to $100,000 had been spent on the rental using Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) funding.
Commissioner Dustin Majewski said the primary delay has been acquiring a transfer switch to operate the generator. He said the search now is for a standard transfer switch, which should be more readily available than a specialized combination transfer switch. He said the hope is to find a transfer switch roughly a month after the generator arrives, “if things go well.”
Koester said the possibility exists to temporarily lease a transfer switch while the county waits for its own, adding that the cost to lease would be cheaper than what it is paying for the rented generator.
Several items on today’s agenda were tabled for future consideration. They included a resolution to adopt a commercial tax phase-in agreement with Stanpac USA, LLC, due to not meeting the seven day requirement to notify all taxing entities of the agreement.
Action on amendment to the county’s inmate payphone services agreement and a service agreement between the sheriff’s office and Voice Products Service, LLC was also postponed to give the county attorney time to look over the documents.
Finally, the fourth payment application for the Pecan Glen Road District from Schrader Construction Co. was tabled, as commissioners wanted to review the maintenance contract before the payment application is approved, as once that happens, the one-year maintenance period that precedes the county taking in Pecan Glen roads as county roads begins.
In other business, commissioners:
- Approved a construction bid from Jose Rivera for a masonry mailbox in the Pecan Glen Road District, using $850 in road district funds. During the Pecan Glen road improvements project, a cul-de-sac had to be widened and a mailbox needed to be moved. The mailbox will be rebuilt for the customer in a new location.
- Appointed Brenham Mayor Atwood Kenjura to the Brazos Valley Council of Governments Board of Directors, replacing former mayor Milton Tate.
- Approved the placement of the Independence Trail subdivision in Precinct 3 into the one-year maintenance period (Independence Trail, 0.205 miles) and authorizing reduction of security bond.
- Agreed to issue requests for qualifications for the Washington County Courthouse landscape project, possibly through ARPA. Commissioner Candice Bullock said the item came back to commissioners, after it was approved last month, because of GrantWorks needing to make document revisions and additions. Qualification proposals will be due to the county by August 2nd at 9 a.m., with consideration by commissioners on August 15th.
- Awarded the 2023 alternate bulk jet fuel contract to Avfuel Corporation.
- Approved a hiring salary increase for the administrative and development supervisor position. County Engineer Wesley Stolz said he wishes to offer the candidate $59,287, with the minimum being $50,458 and an average of $63,073.
- Discussed a formal notice for utility installation for a temporary above-ground lay-flat water line for Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating, LLC in the Koether Road right-of-way in Precinct 4.
What kind of contractor ordered a 500kw generator and didn’t know what kind of transfer switch to order? I assume the contractor had access to the building to check the existing electrical setup before they put their proposal together? Will the contractor be paying the extra generator rental costs while the City waits for the correct transfer switch? I mean, assuming that the next transfer switch isn’t also the wrong one.
$700,000 for a generator and you can’t get the parts to make it functional ? What happens when it breaks ? Needs service ?
It’s sure fun & easy to gamble with someone else’s money.
A Purchasing Agent would be money well spent long before this debacle occurred. Save court embarrassment, enable competent staff to be in charge of purchases and services, negotiate savings on bulk items (for multiple departments), consolidate purchasing functions for all departments, and protect the county from violating procurement law.
I understand that most of the county leadership doesn’t understand the value of investing in people, and makes decisions based on cash flow. Maybe it’s time to rethink that strategy?
Good old Don. This has been going on since 2021 freeze. In June the bill was $110,000. Ur telling me that it takes 2years plus to order and a generator. No wonder or roads are terrible, but we have a Ems on every corner of the county