Liberty County Commissioners took the next step toward construction of a new county jail during their meeting Tuesday, Dec. 16, unanimously approving a contract for architectural services.
Commissioners voted in favor of entering into an agreement with DRG Architects, LLC, a San Antonio-based firm, to develop plans for a new jail on county-owned property adjacent to the Liberty County Law Enforcement Center along SH 146 north of the city of Liberty.
Wayne Gondeck, architect and principal of DRG Architects, told commissioners that representatives of the firm have already met with Liberty County Sheriff Bobby Rader and his staff to better understand the county’s current jail conditions and operational needs.
“We’re aware of the magnitude of this project and really what it means to the county right now and what the impact is of that,” Gondeck said. “We have talked back and forth numerous times that this is the biggest thing happening in Liberty County.”
Pct. 1 Commissioner Bruce Karbowski noted that while the projected cost of a new jail is significant, the county is already incurring substantial expenses due to its current limitations.
“I do want to state that although we are looking at a $100 million price tag on this, the county right now is spending millions of dollars sending inmates to outside facilities because we are not equipped to handle them here,” Karbowski said.
Even before jail fires and a riot caused significant damage to the existing facility and forced Liberty County to house inmates in jails across the state, the county jail was consistently operating at or near capacity, requiring inmates to be transferred elsewhere. County officials have said this has created ongoing challenges not only for jail staff, but also for attorneys and inmates’ families.
Liberty County began planning for a new jail in recent years but was unable to move forward due to funding constraints. Gondeck said construction costs have escalated significantly, making jail projects far more expensive than in years past.
Liberty County is planning to build a 600-bed facility. Gondeck said a comparable jail might have cost approximately $23 million several years ago but is now expected to cost closer to $100 million.
“When you look at all the consultants and engineers and other people that have to be involved to do this amount of work and what those costs are today, you know, it goes pretty quick,” he said.
One of the first steps in the design process will be selecting a construction manager at risk, a process county officials hope to begin after the first of the year. Gondeck said DRG is committed to participating in that process to help manage costs.
“That’s going to be the team, really the ones that can help keep the cost of this project in line,” Gondeck said.
The new jail will be built on a portion of a 76-acre tract owned by Liberty County. Gondeck said the size of the property allows for long-term planning and future expansion.
“That gives us room, and I think you probably have a master plan for future buildings. We don’t want to get in the way of anything. We want to locate it in the right spot,” he said.
Under the architectural contract, DRG will design not only the 600-bed jail but also core facilities capable of supporting a future expansion to 1,200 beds, allowing the county to increase capacity in the future if warranted.
In other business, Liberty County Tax Assessor-Collector Ricky Brown provided commissioners with an overview of how the voter registrar function operates within his office. Brown explained that when Liberty County previously employed a separate elections administrator, the voter registrar duties were handled differently. After that position was eliminated, the voter registrar function returned to his office, while the responsibility for conducting elections shifted to County Clerk Lee Chambers.
Chambers told commissioners that members of her staff have been working on the county’s GIS mapping software to ensure voting precinct boundaries are clearly defined, which helps determine the correct ballot issued to each voter. Brown said his office does not have sufficient funds in its budget to cover the full annual cost of the software and training, but Chambers said her office would pay for the system.
Poll workers in Liberty County will also see an increase in pay. Chambers asked commissioners to raise the hourly rate from $12 to $15. Commissioners approved the request, which will take effect with the March 3, 2026, primary election.
Commissioners also approved Chambers’ request to enter into contracts with the Liberty County Republican and Democratic parties to conduct a joint primary election on March 3, 2026.
Commissioners further finalized a contract with Acadian Ambulance Service to provide service in unincorporated areas of Liberty County. They also approved the reappointment of Paul Marsh and the appointment of Mik Ward, who will replace Denny Loonam, to the Emergency Services District 3 Board of Commissioners for two-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
Additionally, commissioners approved the reappointments of Charles Kaemmerling, Clayton Nugent and Frederick Lemond Jr. to the Emergency Services District 2 Board of Commissioners for two-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
Yes Liberty County needs a new jail only if the judge convicts a person keep them in jail don’t let them go next day.
I’m surprised that the commissioners didn’t go ahead and approve themselves raise.
Give them time, maybe a big Christmas bonus then a raise.
Too soon, still licking wounds from rough rough comment
They are building a jail in one the nicest parts of Liberty county in an area that is frowning residential. Once they build that eyesore and thug facility it’s going to ruin growth heading toward Hardin in my opinion. That stretch of 146 had so much potential for growth and development but know one will want to live or do business around a jail.
The pigs want have a long way to go bringing those Meth addicts from Hardin and Hull Daisetta. Perfect spot for a jail
Kyle all the Bonding companies will be building there soon. They make money off the Criminals.
If the LC “in” just us system wanted to solve the jail overcrowding, start with house cleaning in the entire system. Arrests need to be made when citizens call for help to repeated crimes with plenty of evidence, prosecutor apply maximum charges and follow through with timely charges, judges (or lack thereof) CONVICT and SENTENCE these multi convicted felons to TDCJ and your jail population becomes a mute point. Anyone can research the case loads, low to no bond, multi felony charges vs let go’s and minimum jail time only to return.
This new jail needs to be 2 person cells only. No more dormitories. Single line units visible @ all angles 24/7 recorded. You want to keep down trouble then keep trouble separated. No electricity or lights in cells . No outdoor recreation. Keep in mind that these are prisoners not church attendees. Build accordingly! I don’t like criminals and was one for 15 years. Spent time in TDC and in Georgia DoC. I could show these high dollar architecture engineers a lot about building a real jail.