|Hopkins County
Hopkins County Sheriff ’s Office is planning a ribbon cutting and open house for the new jail trusty building, constructed on county property on Houston Street across from Hopkins County Law Enforcement and Justice Center. The building, constructed substantially from money allocated to the county during the COVID pandemic, was scheduled for inspection Tuesday morning, Nov. 7, by state officials.
With approval, a ribbon cutting with refreshments is scheduled Monday, Nov. 13, at noon at the new facility.
County and SEDALCO officials met Monday, Nov. 6, to go over some final items related to the building, with DRG Architects participating remotely via audio.
In November 2022, the Commissioners Court approved a guaranteed maximum price contract for $4,799,477 for a 48-bed trusty facility, which is still within the $4.9 million budget for the project. Funding for the building comes from the $7 million allocated to Hopkins County in American Rescue Plan funding to construct a building to house male inmates who have been designated as trusties, and as such go out into the community to work daily, including on precinct crews, at schools, the Civic Center and other locations.
The trusty facility would better segregate the inmate trusties from the general inmate population at Hopkins County jail when they return from their work details. The county officials contend the measure should help reduce the potential spread of COVID or other infectious illnesses from trusties who are out in the public or working alongside those who are around others in public, where they could be potentially exposed to illnesses.
By doing so, the county would be meeting the “response to COVID pandemic for public health and the health of the general inmate population of the Hopkins County jail,” an allowable use under the ARP guidelines, county officials said.
SEDALCO representatives explained that the county would receive two physical copies and one thumb drive with all of the warranty information related to the new building. If an issue arises, the information could be looked up and SEDALCO would get hold of the appropriate subcontractor to respond to address the matter. The documents will outline what is and isn’t covered under the warranties. That would remain on file for seven years.
Security training and inspection for electronics for the new building is expected to take place over the course of two days around Thanksgiving. One of the courses will be about four hours long.
The SEDALCO representatives anticipate getting costs for utility items to the county auditor and transferring those services to county very soon. A temporary generator is in place until the permanent one can be shipped approximately Nov. 13-15, which should mean it will arrive and be in place by the end of next week.
A preliminary smoke test using the generator was conducted using the same guidelines as Texas Commission on Fire Protection, with a time of 7 to 8 seconds, which is under the 10 second standard. Test and balance reports were conducted last week by the fire marshal and city marshal.
Bobby Woodard and trusties have been busy plantin winter grass and readying things for spring landscaping. The city has no problem with that or the turf.
Last week tables and chairs arrived and are stored to be furnished whenever the county is ready to move in. Bedding was not being moved in until after the official smoke test on Tuesday as a precaution against potential water damage. The beds themselves have protective coating that should protect them from light water damage.
Electronics, door hardware and the last of keying was in progress last week and Monday, in readiness for the state testing and ribbon cutting next week.
Most of the signage for the building has yet to be installed. The street number, 205 East Houston, is on the door, and the fire risers and electrical doors have decals identifying them. The rest of the signage is slated to be in place in the next 1 1/2-2 weeks.
While the jail trusties, especially those who’ve served in that capacity for extended lengths of time, are excited about the new building and ready to move in, Sheriff Lewis Tatum noted. Jail Administrator Kenneth Dean noted that won’t happen immediately. The jail is still in the process of redefining and reclassifying the inmate trusties.
Originally the appointment with the new commission inspector wasn’t scheduled until the end of November or first part of December. Wayne Gondeck with DRG Architects contacted the state and arranged for the trusty housing building to be inspected on Nov. 7.