Jim Wells County court authorizes negotiations with architects for jail needs analysis

The Jim Wells County Commissioners Court voted March 27 to enter negotiations with Southwest Architects, Inc. for a two‑phase jail facility needs analysis intended to inform whether the county should expand the existing jail or build a new facility.

The study will begin with a pre‑design phase to analyze the current facility, the county’s out‑of‑county housing costs and operational constraints, and produce a master plan and cost estimates. Jeff Heppleer of Southwest Architects told the court the firm’s proposal would “analyze your existing facility” and “come up with the numbers of beds that it needs” while bringing a construction manager and financial advisor into early planning to control long‑term costs.

Sheriff Joseph Guybaker urged the court to authorize the work, saying a professional needs assessment is essential: “I just want to say that … Jim County needs a needs assessment done.” County and architectural staff highlighted that out‑of‑county inmate housing and transports have exceeded $1 million in recent periods, a key driver of interest in a formal analysis.

Under the architect’s timeline the initial analysis could take roughly one to three months (longer if complexities are found in the older portion of the facility), and a full project from planning through construction could run about two years. Commissioners asked that the county clerk, auditor and sheriff’s office be part of the study team; the architect said the two‑part contract would not move into construction without a subsequent, separate court vote.

The court approved a motion to begin negotiations; staff were directed to receive a draft contract, provide it to the county attorney and judge for review, and return it to the court before any phase‑two commitment.

Next steps: negotiators will deliver a draft scope and contract terms to the judge and county attorney, a stakeholder committee is expected to be formed within weeks, and the court will hold a future vote before authorizing any design or construction work.