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An agreement with Fort Bend County to house Hays County inmates is on the agenda for the county commissioners court this morning.
The commissioners will consider an agreement for the housing and care of Hays County inmates in Fort Bend County for $55 per inmate per day. Fort Bend County is located just off of Interstate Highway 10 to the west of Houston, in the Katy-Sugar Land area. It is approximately 160-168 miles from Hays County to Fort Bend County — almost the same distance as it is from Hays County to Limestone County, another county that houses Hays County inmates when overpopulation requires it.
Since the last week of January this year, Hays County has spent more than $1 million on inmate outsourcing. In recent weeks, inmates have been housed in faraway counties such as Limestone, Walker (where Huntsville is) and McLennan, along with nearby counties including Caldwell, Guadalupe, Burnet and Blanco.
In other business this morning, commissioners are set to discuss and possibly take action on the selection of outside counsel to represent the county in opioid litigation. The discussion is set to take place in executive session.
Hays County would not be the first political entity to file suit regarding the opioid epidemic. In 2018, the State of Texas filed a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma for violating state laws against deceptive trade practices and misrepresenting the risk of addiction to its painkillers to patients and doctors. Travis County has also filed a lawsuit regarding opioid abuse.
The commissioners are also set to authorize the Hays County Sheriff’s Department to accept a donation of a prescription drug collection unit from the San Marcos Police Department. The drug return box will give Hays County residents two drop-off locations to dispose of old, expired or unwanted prescription drugs. Two anonymous donations to the sheriff’s office of $200 each — left on patrol vehicle windshields without notes or any information — are also slated for acceptance at this morning’s meeting.
The Hays County Commissioners Court meets at 9 a.m. on the third floor of the Hays County Courthouse, 111 San Antonio St. Meetings are also streamed live.
