The water heaters at the DeWitt County Jail experienced ongoing issues throughout 2024. After six out of ten heaters became nonfunctional, Sheriff Carl Bowen presented a request to the Commissioners Court on January 13 to address the problem.
At the January 27 Commissioners Court meeting, Eric Tankersley from Brandt Companies LLC and Captain Jerry Garza presented cost estimates for the repairs. Due to unforeseen circumstances that created a significant public necessity, the Commissioners Court amended the budget for FY2025 and awarded a contract for the replacement of 11 tankless water heaters. This contract includes labor, a scale blaster, and a new water softener system for a total cost of $205,029.02.
Additionally, the court approved a preventative maintenance service contract with Brandt Companies LLC, which covers 12 visits to all 11 water heaters. This contract also includes semiannual flushing, annual flushing, and scrubbing of the water heaters for a total sum of $23,000. The combined total for these services is $228,029.02, with the project commencing on March 1st.
Storm Ready, IPAWS Alerts
Emergency Management Coordinator Billy Jordan announced that the community has been certified as Storm Ready by the National Weather Service.
“We have the capability to send out ‘Code Red’ notifications to the public. We are also participating in the National Weather Service update,” Jordan said.
Jordan also requested that the Court approve an agreement between the County of DeWitt and the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for emergency communication services through the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS). He explained that this system allows them to extend alerts over a larger area.
'When children or adults go missing, we have the ability to push the alert out further (in distance),' he said.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Ryan Varela and Precinct 2 Commissioner Brian Carson asked for clarification on the fees and involvement of the state. Jordan explained that it was a federal public alert and warning service that did not require additional computer equipment and the like. The agreement was approved.
Juvenile Probation Internet Upgrade DeWitt County Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Terri Rogers requested approval for an internet upgrade and installation at the De-Witt County Juvenile Probation Office.
“Our internet goes down weekly. Sometimes it’s only for a couple of hours, but at other times, it can last for four days. This issue is now affecting our phone lines, as our two primary lines have been down for a month,” Rogers said.
The IT department recommended switching from AT&T to Spectrum, as Spectrum's rates are lower than those of AT&T and have better service. The Court has approved this switch.
During the meeting of the Commissioners Court, several important items were discussed. These included the ratification of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department State Aid and Targeted Grant Contract for the 20232025 biennium. The court also received a fee schedule from the Bexar County Sheriff and Constable regarding mental health fees.
Additionally, racial profiling and activity reports were presented by Precinct 2 Constable Jefferson Hobbs. Finally, continuing education certificates were received for County Clerk Natalie Carson and District Clerk Esther Ruiz, both of whom completed the required 20 hours of training as outlined in Section 51.605 of the Texas Government Code.
To form the Salary Grievance Committee, the commissioners drew the names of public members out of a box. They will be appointed to the Committee.
A special meeting will be held on the 31st day of January 2025 at 9:00 A.M. in the County Courtroom of the DeWitt County Courthouse. The next regular meeting of the Commissioners Court will be on Monday, February 10, at 9 a.m.
