LUFKIN, Texas – At their Tuesday meeting, Angelina County Commissioners approved two modest capital projects to support the county jail’s recent expansion. The board voted to spend $12,000 on concrete work that will create up to eight new parking spaces behind the jail, and $11,250 for a covered storage structure to house the jail’s tractor and a few all‑terrain vehicles.
Why the projects are needed
Sheriff Tom Selman explained that the jail’s staff numbers have risen since the facility added a new wing last year. “We are constantly painting and doing all the things that we need to do to keep up the older portion of the facility as well as enjoying the new part that has recently opened,” Selman said. The new wing added 225 beds, pushing the jail’s total capacity to more than 500 inmates. On the day of the meeting the sheriff reported the jail was housing 427 inmates.
With additional personnel comes a greater demand for vehicle parking. Currently, transport vans are parked in an employee lot that is shared with other county functions. The approved concrete work will relocate those vans to a dedicated area behind the jail, improving safety and traffic flow.
Protecting county assets
The second project—a covered shelter—will protect the jail’s tractor from weather damage and provide secure storage for a few ATVs used in maintenance tasks. Selman noted the tractor has already been employed to clear overgrown land on jail property, a task that supports the facility’s upkeep and reduces fire risk.
Funding for both projects was re‑allocated from existing jail budget lines. The commissioners transferred $2,000 from inmate garden expenses, $12,000 from inmate housing expenses, and $10,000 from inmate vehicle expenses, totaling $24,000 before the final allocation of $23,250 for the two projects.
Community impact
Selman framed the investments as a long‑term benefit for Angelina County residents. “It cost a lot of money and we’re charged with taking proper care of it. That’s what the citizens deserve and that’s what they expect out of those of us who are charged with the responsibility of taking care of county property,” he said.
Recent upgrades to the jail have also included improved lighting, updated signage, and a secure area for impounded vehicles, further enhancing safety for staff and the public.
Looking ahead
The commissioners indicated that the parking and shelter projects are part of an ongoing maintenance plan for the jail’s older sections, which are now more than two decades old. By addressing these infrastructure needs now, the county aims to avoid larger repair costs down the road and ensure the facility remains functional and secure for both employees and inmates.
Original reporting: KLTV 7 Tyler (news) — read the source article.
