Brazos County Commissioners to Hire Consultant for Jail Staffing Study

Brazos County Consultants to Evaluate Jail Staffing

As the Brazos County Jail continues to struggle with a record inmate population, the county’s commissioners have unanimously agreed to hire a consultant to study the jail’s staffing requirements. The decision was made during the commissioner’s meeting on May 28, 2024.

Creating a Committee

Following unanimous approval, the commissioners will move forward with seeking proposals from potential consultants. Additionally, they have appointed members to a committee responsible for reviewing these proposals.

Objective of the Consultation

County Judge Duane Peters has high hopes that the findings from this consultancy study could be incorporated into next year’s budget. The prime objective of this study is to evaluate if the current staffing at the jail is sufficient and efficient to manage the increasing inmate population.

Jail’s Vacant Position and Growing Inmate Population

Commissioner Steve Aldrich requested an update on the ongoing efforts to fill the vacant positions at the jail during a future meeting. As of June 4, 2024, the inmate population at the Brazos County jail was 844, whereas the capacity is almost 1,100. This begs the question if the current staff is adequate to ensure proper functioning and safety procedures in the jail.

New Dean for Texas A&M’s Bush School

In other news, an Aggie, John Sherman, class of 1992, has been selected as the new dean of Texas A&M’s Bush School of government and public service. Sherman comes with a reputed track record serving in the U.S. defense department’s as the chief information officer. His appointment is effective from August 1, 2024.

Sherman’s Esteemed Career

Sherman’s illustrious career in national security spans over 30 years, holding senior positions in the Central Intelligence Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. These experiences undoubtedly makes him a valuable addition to the Bush School’s leadership.

School Boards Approve Bond Funded Contracts

In a move that highlights education funding challenges, the Bryan ISD school board members awarded a contract for interior and exterior renovations at five secondary campuses, despite only receiving two bids. Interestingly, the winning bid came in almost $900,000 under the engineer’s estimate.

$300 Million Bond in College Station ISD

In another significant development, voters in the College Station ISD approved a bond issuance of nearly $300 million in November 2023. The funds will be allocated towards infrastructural improvements, including the complete replacement of the heating and air conditioning system at Cypress Grove intermediate school.

Fire Department’s Health and Wellness Initiatives

Moving to safety and health, the Bryan fire department is launching new employee health and wellness initiatives. In addition, the department is currently conducting training sessions in a former administration building that is now owned by Brazos County and scheduled for demolition.