Tom Green County Commissioners Look to Add Well-Known Consultant to Jail Project

SAN ANGELO, TX – Tom Green County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to enter negotiations with McClure Consulting, LLC for the new jail construction project.  Commissioners tabled the item last week until County Judge Steve Floyd would be present.

Judge Floyd said that with millions of dollars at stake, the County may need an experienced consultant just in case some unforeseen issues arise. “The idea behind this is with all this construction going on is to have a third party consultant who works directly for our benefit to be the go-between between the owner, the architect, and that sort of thing.” 

Pct. 4 Commissioner Bill Ford believes the County doesn't have enough money, “I don’t think we need it. I’m not opposed to seeing what it costs, but I can’t see spending extra money on the jail when we really don’t have extra money to spend.”

Commissioners created a committee to negotiate with McClure.  Commissioner Ford, Facilities Maintenance Director Don Killam and Sheriff David Jones or his designee will make up the negotiating committee. 

Public records show Gary McClure of Austin filed for the Limited License Corporation in April.  Gary McClure is the long-time president of Templeton Construction of San Angelo which has recently closed its local office at 521 W. Beauregard.  That building is listed for sale. 

The new jail project is budgeted at $51 million.  It will have 328 beds and room to expand as needed on county land near the Roy K. Robb Men's Community Corrections Center in the northeast corner of the county off U.S. 277.  The plan calls for using an existing 288 beds in the current jail for a total of 616 beds.  Kenny Franke Architects of San Angelo designed the new facility while White Construction of Austin will construct the new jail.