Grayson County officials heard a quarterly update on the county jail expansion on Oct. 21 and approved a requested budget change for geotechnical construction-materials testing.

Bob Myers, project manager with AGCM, told the court masonry work had progressed and the kitchen reached substantial completion on Oct. 10. “At the end of this quarter we were 42% complete,” Myers said, adding that the parking area was poured and equipment for the kitchen is in place and undergoing commissioning.

Myers said the jail addition’s substantial-completion date moved by six weeks after the county determined a minor cutout was needed on the bottom of modular cell units for plumbing drainage; that change required review by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. He said the cell units are now in fabrication, with installation expected in December, and the shower renovation that requires relocating inmates is scheduled to begin Jan. 5. Myers described efforts to locate a crane near the Sally Port Drive that would avoid power lines and minimize disruption to the occupied jail.

Commissioners approved a change-order request to increase the budget for geotechnical construction-materials testing. County staff explained that the testing vendor revised its scope as the project progressed and additional drill sites and weather delays required more fieldwork. Staff presented an updated proposal and recommended approval; Commissioner Wright moved and Commissioner Hardenberg seconded the motion, and the court approved it by voice vote.

County staff told the court the project remains “on track within the budget” and that contingency and Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) allowances remain available. Staff also said the project is entering phases where fewer unforeseen conditions are expected, but they will begin early inspections of the shower-renovation area to identify any additional issues.

No formal action was taken on the project update itself; the court took action only on the geotechnical testing budget amendment at the meeting.