Starbase approves jail services agreement with Cameron County

STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The City of Starbase has approved another agreement with Cameron County, this time to provide jail services as part of its public safety plan.

Cameron County will provide the city with jail services, an agreement similar to those already in place with other cities across the county.

Just last week, Starbase approved a 24/7 law enforcement agreement with Cameron County. Now, the city is adding jail services, and the public got answers as to where.

“Are you going to have jail services here?” asked Mike Montes, a concerned citizen.

Under the agreement, people arrested in Starbase will be taken to the county jail because the city does not have a police department or any holding cells.

“In the future, the county deputies are going to be operating on their area under the interlocal agreement that we approved last meeting. We are anticipating that there may be some arrests in the future so we just need the availability to house these people in jail if they are arrested,” said Kent Myers, Starbase city administrator.

Myers also called the agreement typical of what other cities sign up for around the county. As approved, it is expected to begin on October 1st and last for five years.

“The rate is $100 per day, so if we don’t have any prisoners, then we don’t pay that fee,” Myers explained.

Starbase will also cover any inmate healthcare costs. The county can refuse inmates if the jail is full or if they choose not to accept them.

“We don’t expect it to be full, but if it does in the future, then we would have to do some outreach to other jurisdictions,” said Myers.

ValleyCentral reached out to the sheriff’s department for comment, but has not received a response.

The city also plans to discuss the potential establishment of a municipal court within the next 90 days.