Breckenridge Texan

The Stephens County Jail passed an unannounced inspection last week, earning praise from County Judge Will Thompson for the performance of Sheriff Kevin Roach and his staff.

During the Stephens County Commissioners Court meeting Monday, Oct. 26, Thompson reported that the inspection resulted in only one minor notation involving how paperwork is filed for veterans who are incarcerated.

“I want to commend our sheriff and his staff. It passed with flying colors,” Thompson said. “It was a clean inspection. Talking to the inspector, that’s not the norm, I guess I should say.”

Thompson commended Roach and his staff for their work in maintaining the jail and successfully completing the inspection.

The judge also reported that the county airport underwent an inspection last week. Commissioners are awaiting additional information before discussing the findings and any potential follow-up actions.

Nursing home feasibility discussed

Commissioners also heard a presentation about the feasibility of developing a nursing home to serve Stephens County and surrounding communities.

Andrew Buchok with Avir Health Group talked to the Stephens County Commissioners about the need for an additional nursing home in Breckenridge. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Andrew Buchok, a representative of Avir Health Group, presented information about the county’s potential demand for additional nursing home and rehabilitation services, including the possibility of attracting a new facility through a private operator.

Buchok said an estimated 2,300 Stephens County residents older than 65 could benefit from rehabilitation and long-term care services. However, the county’s existing nursing home averages about 33 residents, according to Medicare and Medicaid data discussed during the presentation.

He said a review of facilities in Eastland and Graham found that 31 Stephens County residents had left the county to live in nursing homes elsewhere.

While the numbers suggested that a new facility could face challenges relying solely on local residents, Buchok said expanding the potential service area to six counties could create a larger market.

“Could your county benefit from its own healthcare? Yes. Is there a market? One hundred percent,” he said.

Buchok outlined three possible approaches: county ownership and operation, county ownership with a private management company, or incentives to encourage a for-profit operator to build a facility.

Each option would require a partnership with a qualifying non-state governmental entity to participate in a supplemental funding program, he said.

Thompson expressed reservations about the county owning and operating a nursing home, citing the county’s budget situation. He indicated that tax incentives might be a more realistic option to explore.

No action was taken on the proposal.

Inmate telephone contract renewed

Commissioners approved renewing the county’s inmate communication services contract with Crown Correctional Telephone Inc.

Sheriff Roach said the company has provided inmate telephone services for years and that the existing contract was expiring. The renewed agreement reflects regulations limiting the amounts inmates can be charged for telephone calls.

“It doesn’t cost us anything, though,” Thompson said.

Roach explained that the service is funded by inmates and generates a small amount of revenue for the jail’s inmate-related expenses.

The court approved the renewal.

Tractor sold for $46,000

Commissioners opened the only bid they received for a surplus 2013 Case Farmall 85C tractor with a front-end loader and a 15-foot brush hog and accepted the $46,000 bid from Shane Barrett of Graham.

Radio sponsorship postponed

Commissioners postponed a decision on renewing the county’s title sponsorship of the Stephens County Buckaroo Radio Network with KLXK Radio.

Although the commissioners discussed the potential value of the radio station for broadcasting county events, athletic programming and emergency information, they also questioned how the sponsorship could be better used and whether a less expensive arrangement was available.

They agreed to table the item pending verification of other options available through the radio station.

Other business

The commissioners also took the following actions during the meeting:

• Voted to leave the county’s burn ban off after receiving a recommendation to maintain its current status.
• Approved the county’s fiscal year 2027 formula grant application through the Texas Indigent Defense Commission
• Approved a one-foot property-line setback variance for a property in the Lake Ridge Heights Addition.
• Approved a temporary shared-water payment agreement with Russell’s Aviation Inc. for a meter at the county airport. County officials plan to discuss whether the business would take ownership of the meter, potentially eliminating the county’s responsibility for the service.
• Authorized advertising for sealed bids for road materials and fuel for fiscal year 2027
• Approved terms for civil, criminal and probate court matters.

The court also discussed using capital expenditure funds for road materials, clarifying that material costs would be charged to capital expenditure funds while contract labor would be paid from cash.

During the meeting, Thompson also reported on recent emergency management activities, including public information officer training and a winter weather tabletop exercise attended by approximately 38 to 40 participants.

Cutline, top photo: Stephens County Sheriff Kevin Roach addressed the County Commissioners at their meeting on Monday, Oct. 26. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)