Inmate outsourcing to Travis County on docket

This morning, the Hays County Commissioners Court will consider approval of an interlocal agreement with Travis County for the housing of inmates when the Hays County Jail experiences overflow. 

The Hays County Jail can hold 311 inmates due to the state mandate that requires jails to keep 10% of their capacity open. When an expanded Hays County Jail is complete, it will have an additional 192 beds. The interlocal agreement will allow Hays County to outsource inmates to the Travis County Correctional Complex, which can house more than 2,500 inmates, according to the website of the Travis County Sheriff's Office. 

According to the agreement, “The per diem rate for detention services under this Agreement is two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) per day for up to fifty (50) Hays County inmates housed at the Travis County Jail. Travis County will not accept more than fifty (50) inmates per day. This per diem rate covers one (1) to fifty (50) inmates per day.”  

Last week, overflow from Hays County resulted in the outsourcing of inmates to the following counties: Bastrop, Bell, Blanco, Burnett, Caldwell, Fort Bend, Guadalupe, McLennan and Walker.

In other business, the court will consider approval for a member of the Hays County Sheriff's Office to attend a Mass Fatality Management Course this month. 

Crime Scene Specialist Supervisor Renee Luna will attend the training course in Davie, Florida, which will allow Luna the opportunity to learn about federal and state assets available for response to a mass fatality incident. 

According to the agenda item request, “The course topics will include the discussion of Hurricanes Irma and Michael, Haiti Earthquake, and the Pulse Nightclub and San Bernardino shootings. This training will enhance the mass fatality scene management information that CSS Luna has gathered thus far.” 

In other business, commissioners will discuss and take possible action on a resolution for the submission of a grant application to the Texas Indigent Defense Coordinator for the establishment of the position of Indigent Defense Coordinator in Hays County. If approved, the grant program “will assist the county in the implementation and the improvement of the indigent criminal defense services in this county.” 

Funding for the program will be provided by the Texas Indigent Defense Commission if approved, and Hays County will be required to match 20% of the grant, or $18,409.60. 

Additionally, the Court will vote on a professional services agreement with Garver, LLC for Hays County drainage and low water crossing improvements in Precincts 1 and 2. If approved, services will be provided at the following low water crossing areas: Bunton Lane at Bunton Branch Creek, Cotton Gin at Porter Creek, Francis Harris Lane at York Creek, Grist Mill Road at Plum Creek, Turnersville Road at an unnamed creek crossing and Chaparral Park Road at Little Bear Creek. 

The Hays County Commissioners Court meets Tuesdays on the third floor of the Hays County Historic Courthouse at 9 a.m.