Government
SJRA approves $12M refund to cities The San Jacinto River Authority announced a $12 million rebate for cities and utility districts in Montgomery County following the back payment of water fees by Quadvest Water & Sewer and Woodland Oaks Utility from a multiyear lawsuit that ended in 2022. Diving in deeper The rebate comes from the back payment from Quadvest Water & Sewer and the Wood- land Oaks Utility district to the SJRA in water use fees, which had been unpaid by the two utility operators out of protest against rising water fees, per a news release. “In my time on the board of directors, this is the first time we have provided a refund,” SJRA board President Ronnie Anderson said. “I am proud that we are able to return this money to our customers.”
Harris County jails remain understaffed Harris County officials described in late March how the county is struggling to manage its over- crowded jails. Factors discussed at a March 25 media meet- ing and March 26 meeting of the Harris County Commissioners Court include inadequate staffing, specialty inmate populations which require a higher level of supervision than the general popula- tion and the challenges faced with staffing a facility that operates 24/7. Digging deeper Tonya Mills with the county administration department said 73% of people in custody are in a preadjudication status, or pretrial status, which she said was an exceptionally high number. Mills said those waiting longer for trial or to be seen by a judge have a negative impact on the overall jail population.
2023 Harris County jails detention officer staffing rates
Filled positions
Vacant positions
JAN. FEB. MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE
155 165 153 165 202 210 209 209 241 240 241 168
1,588 1,578 1,586 1,574 1,537 1,529 1,530 1,530 1,588 1,498 1,499 1,514
JULY AUG. SEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Mills also said the average days to transfer inmates is increasing. While transferring inmates to out-of-state facilities may provide temporary relief, and court cases are beginning to process faster, she said it doesn’t address the underlying problem.
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