MOVE Midland offers insight into county’s proposed $170 million jail
MOVE Midland, a 501(c)4 non-profit organization dedicated to moving Midland forward, is shedding light on Midland County Commissioners’ $170 million plan for a new jail through a certificate of obligation (CO) bond.
MOVE Midland, comprised of informed and involved Midlanders, including former Midland mayors Ernest Angelo and Mike Canon, believes a fully educated community is essential for effective governance. Leading up to the commissioners’ February 20 vote on the CO, MOVE Midland will provide further information about the existing and proposed facilities without advocating for or against the CO to empower Midlanders to make informed opinions.
Midland County issued a $3.8 million bond in 1988 to construct the current 201-bed jail. In 2009, a $21.9 million voter-approved general obligation bond facilitated the jail’s two-phase expansion, including a 72-bed tent for minimum-security inmates and a 144-bed building. The expansion project was approximately $5 million under budget, and the county refinanced the remaining debt through a CO in 2016. The county projects the outstanding $2.8 million will be paid by February 2025.
Even after expansion, the jail consistently exceeded capacity, and the county routinely paid to send inmates to neighboring jails. The jail has repeatedly been out of compliance with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards for issues like plumbing problems and leaks. A third party looked at the feasibility of renovating the current jail and determined it was more economical to build a new facility. These issues, including multiple escapes from the tent jail, prompted the commissioners to pursue a new facility.
In November 2022, commissioners acquired a $6 million, 234-acre site five miles from the current jail. The county considered multiple properties and chose the location because it offered a large footprint unencumbered by pipelines, wells, or tank batteries. The county plans to use the excess land for a water treatment plan, currently in the planning stages, and other potential purposes. The commissioners also hired a project manager to keep the facility within budget.
The proposed 230,000-square-foot, $170 million facility will initially accommodate 800 beds, expandable to 1,200 beds with additional funding. The county asserts the larger capacity is an opportunity to house federal prisoners, potentially generating extra revenue. In November, commissioners heard financing options for the jail, including a voter-approved general obligation bond or a non-voter-approved CO. County staff highlighted that a public vote failure would require a three-year wait to issue a CO.
The County Auditor provided insights into interest payments, revealing that a 10-year repayment would cost $40 million, 15 years at $65 million, and 20 years at $95 million. Estimated property tax increases were an additional $130 per year for a 10-year repayment on a $350,000 valued property based on the county’s current taxable value. Costs are lower for a 15-year or 20-year repayment.
A 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Sommers opposing due to the location, during a December meeting initiated the process for obtaining a CO. A 45-day window opened for the public to petition for an election. Approximately 4,720, or 5% of Midland County registered voters, signatures are required to call for an election on the bond. A valid petition requires a voter’s signature, printed name, address, date of birth or voter registration number, and date of signature. Signatures cannot be collected electronically.
Valid signatures must be delivered to the county elections office before the February 20 commissioners’ meeting, when they will vote on whether to proceed with the CO or explore alternative options. The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. in the Commissioners Courtroom at the Midland County Courthouse. During the meeting, the public can address the court about the jail’s financing. A super-majority vote, with four out of five commissioners in favor, is necessary for CO approval.
Midland County Commissioners Court:
County Judge Terry Johnson, tjohnson@mcounty.com
Precinct 1 Commissioner Scott Ramsey, sramsey@mcounty.com
Precinct 2 Commissioner Jeff Somers, jsomers@mcounty.com
Precinct 3 Commissioner Luis Sanchez, lsanchez@mcounty.com
Precinct 4 Commissioner Dianne Anderson, danderson@mcounty.com