By Austin R. Eck —
Gillespie County Commissioners denied a request by an architectural firm for work on the new county jail.
WHJ Architects of Plano sought to increase allowable expenses of their contract by $4,500.
“It’s not because they performed extra services or something,” Judge Mark Stroeher said at the county commissioners’ regular meeting held Monday, Aug. 11. “I don’t see why we need to pay them.”
WHJ had requested an increase of $8,500 earlier in the jail construction process, but county officials only approved $4,000.
“I feel like they should at least have a reason,” commissioner Calvin Ransleben said.
In the contract with the architects, there was a specified maximum amount of payment, and the increase would push the total over that amount.
Technology upgrades
Commissioners also approved the purchase of 38 computers to be split among multiple county offices.
The cost of the computers will be approximately $56,000, said John Keller, the county’s IT administrator.
In addition to the purchase of the computers for county offices, the court approved the purchase of 13 additional computers to be used at Pioneer Memorial Library.
The public will be able to use 10 of 13 computers for a variety of purposes, including accessing the Internet. The other three will be dedicated to helping employees and visitors of the library search for books in the collection, Keller said.
Technology improvements do not end there.
Commissioners approved the purchase of a flat screen television for the conference room.
The television will serve a variety of needs, including video conferences and help with 4-H Meat Judging Competition training, said Brad Roeder, Texas A&M Agrilife county agent.
“You’ve got to look at the muscle grain and the slime on the outside, so our pictures need to be sharp and crisp for those kids to see that and to tell the difference,” Roeder said.
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