Sheriff’s staff updated the Wichita County Commissioners on Nov. 14 about recent jail maintenance work and staffing levels.

The sheriff reported about 125 maintenance work orders completed in the last two weeks, including replacement of a kitchen freezer compressor required to protect more than $5,000 in food and repairs to dryers and pod lighting. Staff said one security-related camera switch is no longer manufactured and they are seeking pricing and sourcing options through Cornerstone.

On staffing, the sheriff reported 53 out-of-county detainees and a jail population around 547. He said orientation for new hires is underway and that as new personnel finish training and are scheduled, overtime demand should decrease; the sheriff expected clearer staffing effects by December. County auditors noted some pending reimbursements from the U.S. Marshals and reminded the court about an upcoming policy change to meal-reimbursement rules.

Commissioners discussed how the county’s maintenance and asset-management tools (including the earlier MaintainX presentation) could help track replacement cycles and capital planning for equipment such as RTUs and air handlers. The court did not take action on maintenance contracts at this meeting.