Jail chief reports staffing shortfalls as Burleson County court approves routine measures

Chief Garrett Durrenberger told the Burleson County Commissioners Court on July 10 that the county jail housed 37 people — 31 men and six women — and that the county currently has open positions for two patrol officers, three jailers and three dispatchers.

The staffing update was given during the court’s regular meeting in Caldwell as the court approved a slate of routine measures, including the adoption of the June 2023 minutes, a budget amendment for Road & Bridge Precinct 2 and acceptance of three donations totaling $2,534.98 for county programs (Burleson Health Resource Center, County Child Welfare Board and County Extension Office’s backpack program). Commissioner David Hildebrand moved to approve the consent agenda and Commissioner Dwayne Faust seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

The court also approved several operational items with unanimous votes, among them an FY2024/25 interlocal agreement with the Regional Public Defender for capital cases for $11,936; a contract for vehicle and transportation services with Brazos Transit District for the Burleson Health Resource Center; and renewal of the county’s Federal Surplus Property Program account with the Texas Building and Procurement Commission.

Commissioners postponed action on a request for proposals for jail food services, sending that procurement back for further consideration. The court entered a closed executive session under Texas Government Code Section 551.072 and reconvened later that morning; no further public detail of the executive session was disclosed in the minutes.

County Judge Keith Schroeder reported misdemeanor collections of $18,247.80 and felony collections of $8,777.61. The county auditor said outside auditors are preparing to present the outside audit; a sales tax update was not provided.

The court adjourned after approving payment of bills and routine business. The meeting record does not include verbatim quotes from participants beyond numerical reports and motion language.