The Dallas County Board of Supervisors held a great deal of discussion during their last two meetings regarding generators, which culminated in them purchasing two.

The topic arose from the deterioration of the emergency generator utilized at the current Dallas County Jail. County staff noted it was no longer functioning as it was intended and was unsafely installed to begin with. While examining the emergency power needs at the jail, the Facilities Department also noted that the courthouse across the street has never had a generator, and they felt it would be beneficial to remedy that. Operations Director Rob Tietz pointed out that while the courthouse has had issues with frozen pipes in the past, it’s never actually lost power. However, he believed the County has been flirting with disaster in that respect, and recommended backup power systems for the building.

Elite Electric and Utility presented two options for the Board, with the more cost effective being to purchase two identical generators and two different connectors – one with a larger capacity than the other – from 3E, Electrical Engineering and Equipment Company. The total for equipment was around $82,000, and Elite would then install both for $36,000. After some consideration, the Supervisors approved the purchases. Under the contract, Elite will pay for the equipment from 3E, and the County will then pay Elite the entire project cost of $118,019.43 from the capital fund. The generators will be installed as soon as possible, in order to be ready in case upcoming winter weather disrupts the power to either building.