BEAUMONT — A contract is now in place between Jefferson County and Allied Universal Security Services for personnel for the courthouse as well as securing pricing should Commissioners decide to add more security at the Jefferson County Sub-courthouse in Port Arthur and the Mid-County Tax Office.

Commissioners officially approved the contract for security personnel services for $229,000 per year on Tuesday. These security personnel will be the ones providing security screening at the entrance to the courthouse, as opposed to using Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputies for the task.

County Commissioner Everette “Bo” Alfred, Precinct 4, said he wanted to go on the record and say that additional security is needed at the Sub-Courthouse and Mid-County Tax Office and it is needed now.

Currently there are two constables’ offices and a deputy inside the Port Arthur location and a deputy at the Mid-County location.

The County solicited Requests for Proposals for the security services about a year ago and a courthouse security committee reviewed the proposals.

In other business:

• Commissioners approved the purchase of 20 burial spaces for indigent burial plots for Jefferson County with Claybar Haven of Rest Cemetery. The purchase price is $305 each for a total of $6,100.
• Approved a change order for Siphon Control Structures at Oilcut Ditch and Salt Bayou at the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway for Jefferson County with BDS Constructors, LLC, doing business as MK Constructors for an increase of 12 working days due to flooding caused by Tropical Storm Imelda.
• Approved a change order for SpawGlass Building Service for the removal and replacement of 20 windows with impact rated glass at the Jack Brooks Regional Airport Jerry Ware Terminal, second floor for additional labor for wood demolition in office area in the amount of $2,556, bringing the total amount to $77,585. This is in accordance with BuyBoard Contract with funding from the Rebuild Texas Fund.