WASHINGTON CO. JAIL PASSES LATEST INSPECTION

  

Today’s (Tuesday) monthly report shared by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office during commissioners court included positive remarks regarding a recent state inspection.

Sheriff Trey Holleway told commissioners that a surprise inspection on January 21^st by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) found the Washington County Jail to be in compliance with Texas minimum jail standards.  Holleway said the inspector admired how the jail facility is kept and maintained, as well as how the jail population is taken care of.

A letter to the sheriff’s office from TCJS Executive Director Brandon Wood reads that the certificate of compliance demonstrates “outstanding leadership” and the “diligent work” of staff in complying with minimum jail standards.  It calls the achievement “an example of dedication and professionalism in maintaining a safe, secure, and sanitary facility,” adding that the budgetary support provided by the county is “imperative to achieving compliance.”

Holleway said the inspector also had favorable comments about the work done with the new jail kitchen and the space being made available through the renovations.

Holleway thanked the jail’s maintenance crews for their work in caring for the facility, as well as the commissioners court for giving the sheriff’s office the ability to maintain the facility in a way that receives commendation from the state.  Commissioner Kirk Hanath said Holleway and Chief of Corrections Clifton Bellard have done “a very good job” with running the jail and that he appreciated the opportunity to spend a shift there to see their operations in person. 

In other business today, commissioners voted to accept a $15,000 donation from GeoSouthern Energy Corporation for the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office.  The donation is for the purchase of a new K-9 to assist with locating narcotics and contraband in and around Washington County.  The office’s previous K-9 officer, Aspen, passed away unexpectedly in December.

According to Precinct 4 Constable Greg Rolling, the K-9 program has had an annual budget of $500 and has also used donation funds for the purchase of training equipment.  The K-9 will not be a bite dog.

In other business, the court:

• Approved a change order to the contract with South Texas BuildCon, LLC for the jail roof project in the amount of $25,900, increasing the total contract amount to $383,900.  Facilities Manager Bobby Branham said the project thus far has been going very well, but a project of this scale can often lead to finding other issues along the way that need to be taken care of.  Among the changes are the installation of walk pads for worker protection, lifting of air conditioners, repairing of dryer vents, and replacing 100 feet of gutter and six downspouts.
• Approved retainer agreements with Allison, Bass, and Magee, LLP as legal counsel for assistance with the county jail’s emergency power and generator upgrade project with W-Industries of Texas, LLC, as well as for assistance with Ageint Security surveillance camera system installation. 
• Authorized the issuance of requests for proposals for administrative services for the 2024 Disasters Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Programs administered by the Texas General Land Office.
• Approved UCMS (Uniform Case Management System) participation agreements between the county and district clerks’ offices and the State of Texas Office of Court Administration, including vendor selection.  County Clerk Nicholas Prenzler said the agreements are for the county to receive funds from the state to pay for the case management system software.
• Appointed Renee Mueller and Gail Smith to the Washington County Historical Commission for the remainder of the 2026-27 term.
• Received the quarterly report from the IT Department and the monthly reports from the county and district clerks, justices of the peace, auditor, tax assessor-collector, treasurer, constables, elections and veterans service office.