Liberty County needs a larger jail, but finding the money to build one continues to be a major challenge for county officials.
With construction costs expected to exceed $110 million, Liberty County commissioners voted Friday, Oct. 30, to move forward with plans for a 500-bed jail instead of pursuing a larger, 600-bed facility that would provide more room for future growth.
The decision came during a special called meeting of Liberty County Commissioners Court, where officials considered two options for moving forward with subcontractor bidding on the project.
The first option called for seeking bids based on specifications for an approximately 500-bed jail. The second would have allowed contractors to submit bids for either a 500-bed or 600-bed facility.
While the county eventually will need the additional jail space, the cost of building and operating a larger facility presents another financial hurdle for officials who are already struggling to determine how to pay for the project.
Commissioners spent approximately 50 minutes in executive session discussing the matter before returning to open court and unanimously approving the 500-bed option.
Pct. 1 Commissioner Bruce Karbowski made the motion, which was seconded by Pct. 4 Commissioner Gerald Kolarik.
The jail project also has implications for other county needs. During Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting, officials discussed the possibility of building a new animal shelter but acknowledged that funding for the jail must take priority.
Friday’s meeting also addressed who will oversee construction of the jail once the project moves forward.
Commissioners voted to seek qualifications or proposals for project management services, with the county’s purchasing department handling the process.
During the discussion, a commissioner initially suggested that Liberty County Fire Marshal Nathan Green be considered for the position.
However, concerns were raised that specifically naming a county employee in the motion could give the appearance of favoritism. The motion was revised to remove that language before commissioners approved it.
The court will review the responses before deciding whether to hire an outside project manager. Commissioners are not obligated to award a contract.