Photo credit: Midland County

What to watch: The Midland County Commissioners Court will meet on Tuesday, May 19, to consider the next step on the new $24 million-estimated, 24-bed juvenile justice center, a body-and-dash camera contract with Axon, a border prosecution unit grant that funds prosecution resources for counties, an alcohol-service RFP for Horseshoe events, and a long-range strategic plan for the county library.

Key points:

  • Juvenile Justice Center: Commissioners will consider authorizing design work for the new Juvenile Justice Center. The proposed facility would be a single-story building with an estimated construction cost of $24 million and a planned groundbreaking in fall 2026. The county designed the facility to house 24 juveniles initially, with the ability to expand to 40 beds.

The current Barbara Culver Juvenile Center functions as a short-term, pre-adjudication juvenile detention facility, where youth are typically held up to 15 days after arrest before their initial court hearings. It does not operate as a full educational campus, though MISD may provide limited instruction.

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  • Body and dash cameras: Commissioners will consider an agreement with Axon for body and dash cameras. The agenda packet does not specify which department would use the equipment, how many units are included, or the total cost.
  • Border Prosecution Unit: The court will consider applying for a grant from the Border Prosecution Unit through the Governor’s Public Safety Office. The program funds prosecution resources for counties affected by border-related crime.
  • Horseshoe alcohol service: Commissioners will consider issuing a request for proposals for an alcohol service vendor at Horseshoe Arena events.
  • Library long-range plan: The court will consider adopting a 2026–2031 strategic plan for the Midland County Public Library. The state typically requires these plans to receive state funding, but also outlines priorities for services, programming, and facilities.
  • Library attractions: Commissioners will consider approving a performer agreement with Tio Toto, a Texas-based bilingual children’s musician, for the summer reading program. They will also consider an exhibit license for “Julia Child: A Recipe for Life,” a traveling exhibit featuring a re-creation of the “The French Chef” television studio set and interactive cooking stations.