Archived News

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Fort Bend County officials gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 25, 2018, to celebrate the completion of a 3100-foot improvement to Willie Melton Boulevard between Ben Williams Drive and FM 2919 in Fort Bend County’s Precinct 1.

The paving project repaired the two-lane concrete boulevard, extending the life of the existing road and eliminating hazards associated with the previously crumbling pavement. The project, made possible through 2013 Mobility Bond 13115, was completed on April 20, 2018 for a total cost of $1,055,300, under the original projected cost of $1,400,000.

Judge Bob Hebert said, “This project provided a much needed improvement to Willie Melton Street. It is a very successful county project in partnership with the City of Kendleton, ably spearheaded by Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales.”

Pictured Left to Right: Harish Jajoo, HJ Consulting President; Wesley Crawford, Fort Bend County Engineering Construction Manager; City of Kendleton Mayor Darryl Humphrey; Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales; Dwayne Grigar, Commissioner Precinct 1 Project Manager

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FORT BEND COUNTY, TX – On June 5, 2018, Schneider Electric employees presented Fort Bend County with an $18,780 rebate for its participation in an innovative multi-phase energy efficiency project with Schneider Electric. Fort Bend County and Schneider Electric recently completed the third phase of the project, which will improve the performance of the County’s jail facilities.

The previous two project phases successfully lowered the County’s utility bills, reduced maintenance expenses, and generated savings to fund major mechanical and electrical renovations throughout the jail without transferring the cost to the community. Notable improvements that have modernized the jail facilities include:

• Retrofitting lighting with state of the art, long life LED technology
• Replacing antiqued mechanical equipment
• Updating the building automation system (BAS) for better control and efficiency
• Optimizing water fixtures to reduce consumption

The completed energy efficiency project will generate approximately $8.2 million in energy savings over the life of the project. Additionally, the project is expected to reduce Fort Bend County’s utility budget, saving more than $233,581 in annual energy costs.

“Our partnership with Schneider shows that properly structured public-private partnerships can be extremely beneficial to both public and private partners. Taxpayers will receive significant savings in the cost of jail utilities for many years to come,” said Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert.

Pictured Left to Right: Jamie Knight, FBC Facilities Director; Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert; Jaime Kovar, FBC Assistant Purchasing Agent; Debra Jones, Schneider Electric Sr. Energy Solutions Specialist; Chase Raska, Schneider Electric Customer Project Manager; Justin Zwahr, FBC Facilities Maintenance Manager

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FORT BEND COUNTY, TX – The Fort Bend County Justice Center recently completed the addition of an administrative building to accommodate future court expansion. The County Clerk moved to the recently completed expansion on the 1^st floor, the District Attorney now has offices on both the 1^st and 2^nd floors and the District Clerk is now located on the 3^rd floor. Construction services were provided by Brookstone and the project was completed two months ahead of schedule.

The move occurred primarily overnight and on weekends, over a three-week period at a cost of $467,000, so as not to interfere with the daily operations of the Justice Center. A-Rocket Movers, Southwest Solutions Group, American Erecting, Workplace Solutions and RSW Technologies collectively put in hundreds of hours to move furniture, work stations, file systems, and equipment. The successful move would not have been possible without the cooperation and assistance of the relocation contractor, the many highly qualified vendors, and all departments involved.

The relocation cleared the way for construction of a new courtroom, expanded law library, two multi-purpose hearing rooms and a remodeled Grand Jury room. Currently, the Justice Center visitor entrance remains the same and the recently expanded parking garage will accommodate the growth.

Judge Bob Hebert said, “The completion of the second phase construction of the Justice Center provides a permanent home for the District Attorney, the District Clerk and the County Clerk’s staff supporting our County Courts. This move to the new expansion will allow for build-out of several new courtrooms as our County population grows.”

Pictured Above: Fort Bend County Justice Center with new addition on the left

 

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Fort Bend County has been recognized with the National Association of County’s achievement award for the innovative Crisis Intervention Program.

The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is a specialized unit formed within the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office and funded under federal grants that assists in helping individuals suffering from mental illness. The objective of the team is to work within the mental health provider network by assisting mental health consumers in crisis in reaching the appropriate care by diverting these individuals away from incarceration or emergency rooms when possible. The 10-member team utilizes specialized training and protocols to assist in these goals, and is involved in training other first responders within the county in the recognition of mental illness.

Sheriff Nehls said, “Our Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) prioritizes the well-being of our citizens by linking law enforcement with behavioral health services.  CIT serves as a gateway to treatment instead of incarceration, improving service to our community while also reducing costs to taxpayers.  CIT routinely resolves crises with dignity and care, increasing trust with the vulnerable citizens CIT was designed to serve.”

Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.

Judge Hebert said, “Our Crisis Intervention Team is a truly innovative means to place people into treatment rather than jail whenever possible based on the circumstances of each intervention. This award is well deserved testimony that our CIT team is a valued expansion of our law enforcement response capabilities.”

Pictured Left to Right: Sergeant Jerome Ellis; Dr. Connie Almeida; Deputy Theo Deaver; Deputy Kathy Drzata; Deputy Sonia Craig; Captain Matt Carter; Deputy Michelle Guajardo; Deputy Michael Steiner; Deputy Gary Kidder; Deputy Alexander Rey; Lieutenant Scott Soland; Deputy Anthony DeLeon

 

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In support of Historical Preservation Month, an observance held in May to promote historic preservation, the Fort Bend County Historic Courthouse Rotunda is currently hosting an exhibit featuring artwork from contests held in Fort Bend County. The Fort Bend County Preserved fine arts entries depict local sites throughout Fort Bend County via painting and drawing mediums. The Rosenberg Architectural Appreciation photography entries feature various architectural subjects artistically captured with a camera lens. The purpose of the contests was to draw public attention to the importance of preserving and protecting our community’s history and architectural assets by restoring our older buildings. Sue Syvertson with the Art League of Fort Bend and Dan Kelleher, Main Street Manager with the City of Rosenberg, coordinated the contests and installed the exhibit. The contests were co-sponsored by the Fort Bend County Historical Commission, the Art League of Fort Bend, BAC Photography and Design and the Rosenberg Main Street Program. The exhibit is open to the public and will run through June 29, 2018.

Judge Bob Hebert said, “The preservation of history provides a foundation on which communities may intelligently build their future.”

Pictured Above: Judge Hebert presented the Fort Bend Historical Commission with a proclamation for Historical Preservation Month.

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During Commissioners Court on May 22, 2018, Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert proclaimed the week of May 20 – May 26, 2018 as Emergency Medical Services Week. Emergency medical services is an essential public service that provides citizens access to quality emergency care, dramatically improving the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury.

The emergency medical services system includes first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, nurses, emergency physicians, and many others, with numerous hours of specialized training ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Judge Bob Hebert said, “The Commissioners Court that authorized the Fort Bend County EMS operation 46 years ago would be amazed at the professional capabilities of our first responders and their equipment today. Our team, and the peace officers, firefighters and other medical professionals that support them are truly world-class.”

Pictured Left to Right: Back Row: Lillian Gray, Patient Acct. Services; Martha Waltman, Patient Acct. Services; Threjolyn Hill, Patient Acct. Services; Meredith Greene, Patient Acct. Services; Emily Delgado, Patient Acct. Services; Diane Garcia, Patient Acct. Services; Deputy Chief Kathleen Hartley; Lieutenant Mark Holcombe Front Row: Assistant Chief Brian Petrilla; Deputy Chief Rita Graber; County Judge Bob Hebert; Deputy Chief Jason Albert; and EMS Chief Graig Temple