Bryan County Commissioners held a special meeting on Tuesday March 19 to discuss additional proposals for the Bryan County Jail project.

With the project near completion and public tours already held, commissioners approved five proposals for last minute details to the jail.

The first proposal discussed was the placement of stainless steel splash guards in the jail kitchen. This proposal was suggested by health inspectors.

Upon inspection it was announced that to pass health inspection these guards would be necessary. The guards would be placed in such areas as behind the stove and sink.

According to Monty Montgomery, some reasons for this are that the guards are easier to clean than painted walls and will prevent the presence of grease, food particles and mold on kitchen walls.

This mandatory health precaution will cost approximately $1400. The second proposal was the installation of two additional stools in a visitation area.

The visitation area in question is used by the public for interaction with inmates through telephone and video feed.

There are four stations set up in the room but only two stools. The proposal calls for one stationary stool and one wall mounted movable stool to be placed in the room.

The wall mounted stool will be able to swing to and from the wall as to remain out of the way of people walking by while not in use. This proposal is estimated to cost $1,000.

The third proposal discussed was the installation of three additional cameras. One camera is to be placed inside the intoxilyzer and breathalyzer room.

The second is to be placed on the exterior of the jail on the southwest corner as to watch two exterior doors as well as the gate to the fenced in area of the jail.

The third camera is to be place in the “observation tower,” a room that overlooks the dormitory areas in the new jail.

This camera will ensure that the guard on duty is safe and staying on task.

This proposal is estimated to cost $7,846.95. Commissioners attribute the high cost of this proposal to the distance the company has to travel to install the technology.

Sierra Detention Systems out of Colorado installed the current camera system and will install the additional cameras.

“Electronics in jails is very specialized” said Montgomery. He revealed that there are not many companies in the country to choose from when it comes to these matters.

The fourth proposal was the installation of a new conduit for the three cameras. This will cost $316.39.

The final proposal discussed was changing of a lock on a guard restroom. The restroom in question currently has no lock, allowing entry to any trustees or inmate workers.

This also does not provide privacy as the door may be opened with a person inside. New locks for such a door will cost $304.

Commissioners stated that these proposals will not go over the set budget for the jail project. It is predicted that inmates will be moved into the new jail in early April.

An open house and ribbon cutting will be held for the facility on Thursday, March 28 at 4 p.m. Commissioners invite city representatives from every city in Bryan County to be present for the events.

In other news, Durant City Council also held a special meeting on Tuesday. This meeting was to accept the 2011-2012 Annual Financial Statement and auditor’s report for the city.

LaDonna Sinning of Arledge & Associates presented the report. She informed council that there were no findings and no adjustments that had to be made.