Tuscaloosa County Commission Approves $316K For Improvements To Jail, Firing Range

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa County Commission has approved more than $316,000 in needed improvements for the Tuscaloosa County Jail and the TCSO firing range in the northern part of the county.

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The most-expensive item discussed during Wednesday's regular meeting was presented by Tuscaloosa County Maintenance Superintendent Ryan Sabbagh, who requested $198,000 to replace the 12-year-old dish washing machine.

Sabbagh explained that five bids for the project were sent out by the county, with only one bid returned for the aforementioned amount from Hotel and Restaurant Supply in Northport. The purchase, he said, will ultimately save the county money in the long run and improve efficiency.

For instance, the new, customized Champion brand dishwasher will remove the need for the county to replace garbage disposals several times a year — routine maintenance normally costing $6,000 each.

The new machine will only require cold water, as it has its own on-board water heater. It will also be capable of easily washing every dish, pot and pan owned by the jail.

"It's just going to be so much better than what we have currently," Sabbagh said.

ROOF REPLACEMENT

A separate item was also unanimously approved by the Commission on Wednesday that will now see a new roof installed for the firing range and training center maintained by the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office near the Fayette County line.

TCSO Chief of Administration Loyd Baker told commissioners that the metal building on property was in dire need of a replacement for its increasingly-leaky roof.

The bid, totaling at $118,802, was awarded to Bama Roofing and will be covered by the sheriff's office discretionary fund.

Baker was unclear of the exact timeline of the project, as the roofing firm will be able to start work as soon as the necessary materials come available.

"As old as it is, we just figure now is the time to redo it," he said.

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