WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS AGREE TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH NEW JAIL MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDER
Washington County Commissioners moved today (Tuesday) to begin contract negotiations with a new provider of medical services at the county jail.
Commissioners unanimously approved entering into talks with MedTrust, doing business as MedHealth. The court went out for requests for qualifications (RFQs) at its meeting on April 16th as it sought to explore other options beyond the current provider at the jail, CorrHealth.
The contract with CorrHealth began in 2021 and lasted for three years, with an option to extend for another two years. Commissioners spoke on the 16th about their wish to seek out qualifications before moving forward, and Jail Chief Deputy Eric Hensley said today that this process was to “see what all’s out there.”
A total of four companies submitted qualifications. Consideration was led by a selection committee comprised of Hensley, County Commissioners Dustin Majewski and Candice Bullock, EMS Director Kevin Deramus, Precinct 2 Constable Trey Holleway, and Baylor Scott & White – Brenham Chief Operational Officer Blake Barnes.
The cost for services will be determined through contract negotiations.
Also at today’s meeting, commissioners approved a contract with Terralab Landscape Architects for landscape architect design services at the Washington County Courthouse. The project is to address exterior courthouse aesthetic and drainage issues.
The contract is for $43,750 and will be paid using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Negotiations had been ongoing since February, when the county moved into discussions with Terralab after ending talks with Studio 16:19.
In other business, the court:
- Approved the purchase of a Chevrolet Tahoe for the Precinct 3 Constable’s Office from Caldwell Country. The cost is $47,650 and comes from other contingency in the general fund.
- Appointed Allison Crowson as a new member to the Hotel Occupancy Board Funding Committee and approved the reappointments of Sandra Kindt, Cyndee Smith, Jamie Rankin and Mark Pennybacker.
- Approved an oil and gas development permit for Magnolia Oil and Gas Operating, LLC on Sandstone Road in Precinct 4.
- Accepted Century Terrace (0.31 miles), Orion Drive (0.24 miles) and Astin Court (0.10 miles), all located in the Century Farms at Chappell Hill subdivision in Precinct 2, into the county road system.
- Heard a presentation of the Information Technology Department’s quarterly report.
- Discussed a formal notice for a water installation by Corix Utilities along and across the Captain Scott Road right-of-way in Precinct 3.
Who is the constable of Precinct 3?