Warden seeks $129,173 state grant to add inmate education building; vendor Big Bill & Direct selected

Warden Otis Wilson asked the board at its April 2 work session to approve use of allocated state grant funds totaling $129,173.51 to construct an inmate education building at the county correctional institute. Wilson provided a budget breakdown — about $55,000 for the building unit, roughly $26,000 for concrete and about $40,000 for interior finishing — and said the funds were originally awarded in 2018 and intended for classroom and vocational training space.

Wilson said the county previously received a welding trailer but not a classroom trailer; with the available funds staff solicited quotes and selected Big Bill & Direct (Tampa, Florida) because of its structural integrity. He estimated on‑site assembly would take two to three weeks once the foundation and utilities are in place and identified the former bus barn area as the installation site.

Commissioners expressed support for the project as an investment in education and reentry skills. Staff confirmed the item will be placed on the consent agenda for formal approval at the regular meeting. No formal vote was recorded in the work session.