Thursday, May 2, 2024
With the question of whether to build a new jail still unresolved by the Hood County Commissioners Court, the current jail is continuing to cost money because of needed repairs.
At a recent regular meeting, the Commissioners Court approved the purchase of a new “standby boiler” at the Hood County Jail at 400 Deputy Larry Miller Dr. due to the failure of the old one.
County Maintenance Director Jay Riley told the county judge and commissioners at their June 13 meeting that there are two hot water boilers at the jail and the “spare boiler” had failed due to a cracked heat exchanger.
“A heat exchanger’s about $30,000 to replace,” he said, adding that he felt it was “better to go with a new one.”
Riley stated that a year ago that particular unit cost $78,000 but now the price is $81,000.
“I feel like I need to act,” he said. “I need to bring it to your attention. If the one I’ve got fails, we won’t have any hot water.”
County Judge Ron Massingill responded, “That means we would fail the jail standards, of course.”
He was referring to inspections by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.
“Yes, sir, we would fail, and I think that this is a good item to consider,” Riley replied.
The court voted unanimously to replace the boiler using money from Fund 55, the county’s general fund.
