November 19, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners received an update on the Shelby County Jail Non-compliance during their meeting held Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
County Judge Allison Harbison reported on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) meeting for which several Shelby County officials were in attendance. Judge Harbison said she thought it was a very good meeting.
Tiffany Ryals, Jail Administrator, updated the court on some of the issues being addressed to bring the jail up to compliance.
"We've been working hard on, we were out of compliance with our plumbing a lot of our electrical, stuff like that. Chief [Chad Hooper] and I spent yesterday from about 8:15 in the morning till 6 o'clock last night working on just plumbing," said Ryals. "We only got two tanks left, that's it. We're just waiting on the parts. We tried Panola County, they don't have the part they have a different diaphragm that we have to have. So we're going to try that because McWilliams Plumbing can't get in for three weeks."
She shared that an electrician is currently working at the jail, and one thing she specifically described them working on is conduit for live wires being installed for TVs.
"All of our medical files back into compliance, inmate files back into compliance. Everything is completed as far as that part goes, except for two pieces of plumbing and our two TVs. Which should be done today or tomorrow, and then we'll be ready for another inspection pass," said Ryals.
Judge Harbison stated a request was made of the TCJS for the jail to be re-assessed. Commissioner Roscoe McSwain inquired about the lighting at the jail.
"The lighting has not been repaired, everything with the exception of lighting, but we have a plan in motion with the lights, we're working with 4C and the judge has been in contact with 4C. So as long as we have a plan of action on that, we're going to be good there," said Chief Hooper. "We fixed every light that we could, but as far as replacement of the whole project, that's not been done. But everything else, every annual bi-annual inspection, every log, every check, every cell."
Chief Hooper said they were expecting to have already heard from the inspector; however, he is on the road during the week of the meeting and a call is expected anytime and then he should arrive.
"I think the jail is probably, after yesterday, in the best shape it's been in for some time," said Chief Hooper.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer asked about some other issues that were being looked at and Chief Hooper described the process of working on the lighting which is still in progress and an issue with a toilet.
"We appreciate y 'all getting everything back in order in such a timely manner," said Judge Harbison.
"I really felt like the Sheriff and the Sheriff's Department was well represented for Shelby County. I thought y'all did a great job in answering the questions, presented yourselves well and and I was really happy when we came away from there at the response and the way that you were prepared," said Bellmyer.
Chief Hooper commented that it was a shame that some of the frontline jailers were not there to witness the process and take in the experience.
"It's a shame that our frontline officers can't see that, it's not fair to them that the county judge and the chief and the jail administrator and all of us have to go up there and witness that and deal with the little bit of stress that puts on you and those things, when really they're the ones that need to witness that, not you and you and us. Our frontline guys need to understand that it's business," said Chief Hooper.
Commissioner Bellmyer stated he was pleased with the presentation and the way the Sheriff's Department represented Shelby County in Austin. He thought they did a great job.
The commissioners canvassed the votes of the November 5, 2024 election and as they reviewed the numbers, Judge Harbison stated out of 16,415 registered voters in Shelby County there was a turnout of 9,999.
A motion to approve canvassing the ballots carried with a motion first by Commissioner McSwain, and a second by Commissioner Stevie Smith.
As TikTok has become a point of focus since December 7, 2022 when Governor Greg Abbott banned the application from all state owned and state issued devices due to the Chinese Community Party's ability to use the application for surveilling Texans, local governments throughout the state are now taking action resulting from Senate Bill 1893 in reference to "covered applications."
John Price, Shelby County Attorney, put together a resolution for the commissioners to consider adopting in relation to applications prohibited on governmental computers and mobile devices pursuant to Texas Senate Bill 1893.
"That policy puts us in compliance with what has been called Senate Bill 1893. It's been enacted as part of the government code section 620. It pertains to foreign governments or foreign individuals obtaining or submitting information through devices that are owned or operated by county, state, federal employees," said Price.
Senate Bill 1893, Chapter 620, specifically defines "Covered Applications" as meaning: the social media service TikTok or any successor application or service developed or provided by ByteDance Limited or an entity owned by ByteDance Limited, or a social media application or service specified by the governor under Sec. 620.004.
"The policy which I drafted is kind of a proposed policy that came from the DPS and the Department of Information Resources which the Bill requires to come up with a policy," said Price. "I've had to adapt it to fit the county. I think it certainly complies and puts us in compliance with the Senate Bill, and it also is totally compatible with existing policy in my judgment."
Commissioner McSwain moved to adopt the policy, Commissioner Bellmyer seconded his motion and it carried.
"I don't TikTok, I don't Tweet, I barely Facebook once a week," said Judge Harbison.
During the meeting held November 6, 2024, bids were opened for road materials and all were approved. Judge Harbison explained that one bid that was submitted arrived at the courthouse on time, but it didn't make it to her office before the meeting.
The bid envelope was received by the tax office at the courthouse, and Judge Harbison deferred to County Attorney Price for his determination on the matter.
Price confirmed the envelope for the bid was timely postmarked and sent in and he felt that should be considered.
Judge Harbison opened the envelope from Rodney Dean out of Joaquin. Commissioner Smith moved to accept the bids with the others accepted in the previous meeting, and a second was heard by Commissioner Bellmyer. The motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:01am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Minutes of the October 9, 2024 Regular Meeting; October 16, 2024 Special Meeting; October 23, 2024 Special Meeting; October 31, 2024 Special Meeting. 2. Pay weekly expenses. 3. Officers report. 4. Canvass votes for the November 5th General Election. 5. Resolution adopting a Technology Policy for applications prohibited on governmental computers and mobile devices pursuant to Texas Senate Bill 1893. 6. Bid proposal on road materials that was inadvertently placed in the mailbox of the Tax Office instead of the Commissioners’ mailbox. 7. Adjourn.
