County hears plea for new jail

GROVETON — While discussing normal matters, the Trinity County Commissioners Court heard a request from a jail employee for the creation of a new jail.

At the July 8 regular meeting, Kenneth Wright said there is no question that the county needs a new jail.

Wright said he has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 12 years transporting prisoners to various places, particularly jails in 53 different counties.

“It’s not your fault,” he said. “Of the 53 jails I’ve seen in the state, most are under 40 years old. Ours was built in the 30s, and the county spends $1 million a year to house prisoners elsewhere. It should be spend here.”

Wright admonished the court: “Let’s work together to get a new jail.”

County Judge Danny Martin said the court was working to have a jail bond issue on the November general election ballot.

In a separate matter, the county approved an agreement between the Sheriff’s Office and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement that will allow county jail staff to serve inmates that are in custody with ICE warrants.

In other business, commissioners:

• approved personnel action forms;
• approved disaster-related purchases;
• approved changing the name of Read Road to Woodie Read Road to avoid duplicate road names;
• approved a correction to the TxDOT DUSA map to add Read Road, which was left off;
• approved an agreement between Commissioner Tommy Park and Bob Kunz to address drainage issues on J.V. Price Road;
• approved the purchase of a replacement vehicle at $56,900 for the Sheriff’s Office by using capital improvement funds and an insurance settlement; and
• approved a donation from Allegiance/Lonestar EMS for the purchase of 20 bleed control kits for Trinity County.