Sheriff corrects jail certification statements; Purchase of 50-inch TV draws heated debate
San Jacinto Newstimes - April 3, 2008

COLDSPRING – Setting the record straight Tuesday, San Jacinto County Sheriff Lacy Rogers said, “Our jail inspection was passed on March 25. We are in compliance.” Speaking to members of the San Jacinto County Commissioners’ Court, Rogers said it was reported last week in a Cleveland newspaper that we are not in compliance with Texas Commission on Jail Standards. Presenting a certifi cate of compliance to the court, Rogers said, they must have been referring to our punch list. The punch list is a list of work on the new jail construction that need changes or updates to pass inspection by the state before the new construction can be accepted and prisoners housed in the new facilities. County residents are invited to tour their new jail facilities during open house scheduled Thursday, April 17, from 9 a.m. until noon. “It all looks real good,” Rogers said, adding, “We will close out with the jail architect at 1 p.m. April 17.” “I’m glad to hear we are in compliance since we will be renting beds in the new jail to surrounding counties for some of their prisoners,” said San Jacinto County Judge Fritz Faulkner. Money San Jacinto County receives from housing inmates from other counties will help pay for the new jail. In other business, a request for the purchase of a 50-inch television with newly acquired Homeland Security grant money drew angry remarks from Judge Faulkner when presented to the court by San Jacinto County Emergency Management Coordinator Shirley Brandon. Shirley Brandon told the court that San Jacinto County law enforcement received $70,500 from the Homeland Security grant and her offi ce of emergency management was funded $8,215 from the grant. “We have received approval from the state to start buying,” Shirley Brandon said.

Although Judge Faulkner said he had already informed the emergency management coordinator that he would not approve the purchase of a 50-inch television for her office, she presented her request Tuesday to the court regardless. Showing support for purchasing the 50-inch television was Pct. 3 Commissioner David Brandon, Shirley Brandon’s husband. Speaking sternly to the emergency management coordinator, Faulkner said the request will not be approved. Approved with some of the $8,215 Homeland Security grant funds were five laptop computers with external hard drives for Brandon’s office. It was recommended that the remaining money of about $2,000 be used to help purchase radios and communication equipment for the San Jacinto County Emergency Services District (ESD). “That’s my recommendation,” Faulkner said. “They’ve spent several years trying to straighten out communication problems and I think it’s worked out. They should have applied for a grant themselves and not take from someone else,” Commissioner Brandon said, adding, “A 50-inch television was suggested from an outside agency.” “I don’t intend to punish the citizens of this county because someone didn’t apply for a grant,” Faulkner said.

“That’s my recommendation. I don’t approve a 50-inch television to hang on a wall. The need of the ESD is to help make communications better with those out in the field.” Faulkner said he thought he made himself very clear the other day with Shirley Brandon and her request for the television. “Obviously I didn’t,” he said. “I think several smaller televisions would be better so you could watch more than one channel at a time during an emergency,” said Pct. 2 Commissioner Royce Wells. Sheriff Lacy Rogers requested approval for the purchase of nine laptop computers, 16 bullet-proof vests for COMMISSIONERS, deputies, surveillance cameras and other surveillance equipment with his portion of the Homeland Security grant money. His request was approved by the court. The court approved the purchase of generators totaling $148,119 and the installation of the generators at a cost of $48,134. Money for the generators and installation was awarded to the county through a disaster recovery project contract. Commissioners approved the county’s 2008-2009 budget calendar, which will begin April 14 with informal workshops to discuss the county’s budget policy and distribute departmental forms. By June 11, commissioners’ court is scheduled to review the new budget and complete the proposed county budget by Aug. 11.

A tax rate is scheduled to be set by Sept. 12 and a fi nal copy of the adopted budget is scheduled to be fi led with the county clerk’s offi ce by Sept. 22. Commissioners voted to cancel the public election scheduled May 10 on adopting a one-half percent sales and use tax in the county under Chapter 387 of the Local Government Code. “The Emergency Services District (ESD) previously canceled their sales tax election,” Faulkner noted. “I believe we will have a better chance of success if we have more time to inform the public and reschedule the election for next year.” The appointment of a new veteran’s service offi cer for the county was tabled. The purchase of two defi brillators – one for the courthouse and one for the sheriff’s offi ce – was approved by the court. An inter-local governmental contract between San Jacinto County and Polk County Waste Management Center for land fi ll services was approved by the court.