COLDSPRING — The San Jacinto County Commissioners Court approved an agreement to house prisoners from Trinity County at a lower rate that previously charged.
At a special meeting on March 24, the court discussed the contract, which would be for $65 per day per inmate, which had lapsed in September 2024. In the original contract, Trinity County was charged $75 per inmate per day.
Additionally, should Trinity County inmates require medical services, it would cost $50 per hour per each San Jacinto County deputy that was used for security.
County Judge Fritz Faulkner pointed out Trinity County wanted to reduce the rate because $75 per inmate per day “was eating them up,” and I’m OK with that.
Commissioner Mark Nettuno asked what the fiscal impact would be with the reduced rate; Faulkner said that since the jail had to be closed, the county hasn’t seen a dime from it.
“We budget for $600,000, and we’re $600,000 in the hole because we’re now zero,” he said. “I’d rather have $65 than zero.”
Faulkner said a question about Trinity County paying for 20 beds per day came up, which he said was a proposal from Trinity County officials to help lower the price; however, Commissioner Donnie Marrs said the county should approve the contract regardless, even if Trinity doesn’t accept 20 beds per day minimum.
Faulkner said that he would talk with Trinity County Judge Danny Martin later in the week about details of the contract.
In the only other matter at the special meeting, the county opted not to enact a burn ban due to high winds; Faulkner said that the wind criteria did not justify a ban, and recent rains have made it unnecessary.
