Limestone making money on inmate telephone service

By Bob Wright-Editor

March 21, 2008 12:14 pm

— Each year about this time, the Limestone County Commissioners’ Court reviews, then renews the inmate telephone service contract.
There are pros and cons concerning the availability of phones to inmates at the Limestone County Detention Center. However, it’s more than just a “nicety” provided for prisoners; The county makes money on the situation. “We get commissions on the phone service...making about $300,000 a year on the contract,” explains County Judge Daniel Burkeen.
In other action at a regularly-called meeting of the Limestone Commission, approval was given for purchase of three pickup trucks on bids from Dick Scott Ford in Mexia - two trucks 2 and three-quarter tons, and the other, a one-ton. Total cost to the county - about $66,000.
Commissioners okayed three utility line agreements, all in Precinct 1 for Trend Gathering and Treating on Limestone County Roads 757, 759 and 763. Another utility line agreement was postponed, that for the Point Enterprise Water Supply Corporation in Precinct 1. “The decision was to re-route a water line prior to final action,” Judge Burkeen said.
An executive session was held to discuss personnel in the Road and Bridge (R&B) Department. Following the closed session, the Court voted to hire Robert Baker as a part-timer, and Johnny Wilburn, who will serve for the R&B as Supervisor of inmate workers doing county work. Wilburn has some experience of his position, and is a retired law enforcement officer from Houston.
Other items included action for a budget transfer for $1,000 in the Treasurer’s office; approval for a lease of election equipment between Limestone and the City of Groesbeck, and approval for some minor remodeling in the Adult Probation offices.
It’s also come to light that Limestone is receiving what is known as a RAMP Grant, under auspices of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). This is for airport signs and other improvements for the Limestone County Airport, in its major renovation and expansion projects. This provides the county 50 percent of the signs’ cost.