Government
BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN & JESSICA SHORTEN
MCSO urges rapid action on jail overcrowding At a July 15 commissioners court meeting, Jon- athan Zitzmann, deputy chief with Montgomery County Sheri’s Oce, urged a solution to county jail overcrowding issues. What happened Zitzmann said the jail is operating at 97.9% capacity, housing 1,289 inmates. According to Zitzmann’s presentation, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards requirement is operating at 90% capacity. The county applied for and was granted a one-year variance from that requirement, which expires in March, he said. “We have to go every year to receive that variance,” Zitzmann said. “It’s not guaranteed year to year, but at the rate we’re going, we’re hoping to have it for a couple more years.” Currently, the county is estimated to spend over $1 million annually to house inmates in Waller
County could regulate roadside vendors Montgomery County commissioners on July 17 discussed a proposed ordinance aimed at regulating roadside vendors, pan- handlers and live animal sellers operating in public rights of way through House Bill 2012. Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray said the measure is needed to give law enforcement tools to address public safety concerns. Next steps HB 2012 will take eect Sept. 1 and will allow citations or arrests for unpermitted vending in medians, intersections, parking lots or public roadways, per the bill. A draft ordinance will be brought back before the court prior to Sept. 1 for consideration.
Options to address overcrowding in Montgomery County Jail
Construct new jail facility Timeframe: 20-30 year solution Cost: $350 million Bed capacity: 2,300 beds Details: ve-year planning and construction timeline Acquire existing jail facility Timeframe: 5-10 year solution Cost: $60 million Bed capacity: 2,500 beds Details: limited expansion potential
SOURCE: MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICECOMMUNITY IMPACT
County, according to the presentation. What’s next? Zitzmann said the county would need over 2,350 beds by 2040 based on population growth.
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