As the Potter County Detention Center continues to struggle to meet jail standards due to chronic overcrowding, county commissioners have taken the first formal step toward addressing the problem — but remain divided on how best to move forward.
On Monday, June 23, the Commissioners Court voted 4-1 to approve a revised contract with Burns Architecture, LLC, authorizing the firm to begin developing preliminary design concepts and cost estimates for a potential jail expansion or new facility. The firm is expected to deliver site options, bed counts, and budget projections within 90 days.
Precinct 3 Commissioner John Coffee cast the lone dissenting vote. He argued the county should first conduct a neutral needs assessment before committing to architectural plans. Coffee proposed hiring GMJ, a consulting firm led by a retired judge with experience in jail construction and public finance, to analyze population trends and long-term capacity needs.
“I just want to build exactly what we need — no more, no less,” Coffee said. “The voters deserve a smart, long-term solution that avoids unnecessary costs.”
The consultant had reportedly offered to waive his fee if no cost savings were identified. According to Coffee, several other Texas counties have used the firm to reduce jail construction costs. Despite his proposal, no commissioner seconded the motion.
In contrast, Precinct 4 Commissioner Warren Coble supported moving ahead with Burns Architecture. He said the firm’s experience with state jail standards and past collaboration with former county facilities director Mike Head made it a reliable and cost-effective choice.
“The same information a consultant would charge $200,000 for, the architect can provide for $50,000 — and he can design the jail too,” Coble said.
With the contract approved, Burns Architecture is expected to begin meeting with officials in the coming weeks. The report will outline options for both expanding the existing jail and constructing a new facility.
Coffee, however, remains skeptical about adding onto the current structure. Now more than 30 years old, the jail has drawn repeated scrutiny from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. He questioned whether it was financially responsible to invest in a building that may only have limited years of service left.
“I don’t know if it makes sense to expand a facility that’s already nearing the end of its life,” Coffee said. “We should be considering something more durable and forward-looking.”
Instead, he suggested exploring expansion at the adjacent Law Enforcement Center — an option he acknowledged would be more expensive up front, but one he believes offers better long-term value.
Beyond design choices, Coffee also stressed the importance of letting residents decide how to fund the project.
“This is going to be a major investment,” he said. “And I believe the public should have the opportunity to vote on it. I’d support a bond election over issuing certificates of obligation without input from taxpayers.”
The court also postponed a decision on hiring a full-time project manager to oversee jail construction and future county infrastructure efforts. The role, previously funded in the budget, has remained vacant since the departure of longtime facilities director Mike Head. Coble said the court will revisit the topic at its July 22 meeting after meeting individually with each commissioner.
Despite differing views on the process, both Coffee and Coble acknowledged the urgency of the jail’s condition. Overcrowding continues to strain operations, limit visitation, and put the county at risk of further compliance failures.
With Burns Architecture expected to present initial concepts by late summer, commissioners say the coming months will be critical in determining both the scope and cost of the solution.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Potter County commissioners split on jail expansion planning
Reporting by Michael Cuviello, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
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