WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS AWARD CONTRACT FOR JAIL KITCHEN IMPROVEMENTS

  

Washington County Commissioners unanimously agreed today (Tuesday) to award a contract for renovations and additions to the Washington County Jail kitchen.

The court chose Chappell Hill Construction out of five contractors that submitted proposals for the project.  The firm’s base proposal was the lowest at $3.1 million, but all five exceeded the county’s budget for the project, which is being paid for with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Wayne Gondeck, architect and principal at DRG Architects, who the county entered into a contract with in April for architecture and design on the jail kitchen, said there are several parts of the project where costs could potentially be saved through engineering.  However, he said the county still needed to commit to a contractor before it moves forward with exploring those options. 

A sister item to the jail kitchen proposal was approving a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the county and the county judge’s office pertaining to federal ARPA funds the county has received. 

Commissioner Kirk Hanath said the funds, which amount to $2,388,552, must be expended by the end of 2026, but must be committed by the end of the current year.  He said this MOU allows the county to say the funds are committed and guarantees that none of the funding will be pulled back.

In other business, the court:

• Voted 3-2 to approve changing the name of Machemehl Road in Precinct 3 to Old Bryan Road.  Commissioners Kirk Hanath and Dustin Majewski voted against approval.  (KWHI will have more in a follow-up story).
• Received a presentation from the Washington Extension Education Association.  Members of the WEEA presented the court with gift baskets and a check for $80,166, representing the amount of hours contributed by volunteers over the past year.
• Approved a resolution authorizing an application through the Office of the Governor’s Homeland Security Grant Program for surveillance and security cameras at the Washington County Expo.  Emergency Management Coordinator Bryan Ruemke said the grant is for $10,000.
• Authorized County Judge John Durrenberger to enter into negotiations with Tom Green County for the sale of school land in Tom Green County.  The potential sale is in reference to Walling Pecan Road.  Hanath explained that the road is a farm road which has seen a heavy increase in traffic due to a new subdivision nearby, so widening of the road is necessary for Tom Green County citizens.  Durrenberger said this item does not lay out any sale price, but it provides Tom Green County with some assurance that Washington County will work with them on this project.
• Approved a resolution of support for legislation exempting counties from certain motor fuel taxes.  The proposed resolution says rising fuel costs are significantly impacting county budgets and cites motor fuel tax exemptions that have been provided to volunteer fire departments and public schools.
• Approved the 2025 renewal contract for participation in the Washington County rotation log for towing services for abandoned, impounded, junked and disabled vehicles.  Commissioners also approved a resolution for the county judge to enter into contracts for participation in the rotation log for towing services with towing companies in Washington County, for the safety and protection of individuals forced into non-consent tow situations.
• Agreed to move the commissioners court meeting dates of Tuesday, December 23^rd to Monday, December 22^nd and Tuesday, December 31^st to Monday, December 30^th due to the holidays. 
• Approved a property access agreement between the county and David Alan Wellmann for a drainage project along Dannheim Road in Precinct 3.  The agreement is for the installation of a new cross drain culvert that will extend onto the property.
• Approved the 2025 Chapelton Vineyard right-of-way permit application for a run/walk on January 11, 2025 on Whitman Road and Dillard Road.
• Approved contracts for representation of indigent defendants for district court.  The renewal contracts are with Aaron Kleinschmidt, Lee V. Richardson, Scott Ballard, Wesley T. Keng and Zach Coufal.
• Approved a budget amendment and line item transfer.
• Approved a bond for District Clerk for District Clerk Kimberly Boyce.
• Received the quarterly report from the Engineering and Development Services Department.