Proposition A – Sheriff Bryan Beavers Answers Your Questions
Proposition A – Sheriff Bryan Beavers Answers Your Questions
On May 3, 2025, Kaufman County voters will decide on Proposition A, a bond measure to fund a Juvenile Detention Center. Kaufman County is growing rapidly and has no facility to house juvenile defendants. The result- juvenile offenders either have to be released or Kaufman County has to pay other counties to detain our juvenile offenders in far away facilities. Housing juveniles in other counties not only costs taxpayers money it separates juveniles from their support systems and family.
InForney interviewed Kaufman County Sheriff Bryan Beavers to address concerns that have been raised about Prop A. The Sheriff’s message is clear: Prop A is about safety, smart planning, and local control.
Why does a juvenile facility cost so much?
Because we’re not just building a jail—we’re building a secure facility that functions more like a school with beds and the security of a jail. It includes classrooms, counseling rooms, medical areas, and secure housing, all built to meet strict state requirements. Cost projections are in line with what our local school districts are seeing for institutional-grade facilities. And yes, it would’ve been cheaper a few years ago—but previous leadership chose to build a new animal shelter instead. Construction costs have skyrocketed since then, and every year we wait makes it worse. Building now is a long-term investment in safety and stability.
Will this actually help troubled youth, or just lock them up?
It will absolutely help. Right now, we can’t even drug test juvenile offenders on probation because if they fail, we have nowhere to put them. That means there’s no accountability, and no way to help them get clean and stay clean.
A local facility allows us to enforce probation conditions, provide education, mental health services, and structure—all of which are critical to turning lives around. And let’s not forget: the kids committing crimes are ours, and so are the victims. We owe it to both to build a system that works.
Can Kaufman County afford this?
Yes—and we’re working to keep the impact as low as possible. The bond is responsibly structured and will take about three years to build the facility. During that time, Kaufman County’s tax base has been growing by $2–3 million annually. Combined with savings from ending costly out-of-county transports and housing fees, there is a possibility we could absorb some or all of the cost without a significant tax increase.To be clear, the bond authorizes a tax increase—but it’s the goal of county leadership to limit or potentially avoid that increase through sound financial planning. The Commissioners Court has
lowered the tax rate consistently for years, and they’re committed to fiscal responsibility here too.
Will this actually save money in the long run?
Yes. Right now, we’re spending taxpayer dollars to send juvenile offenders to facilities across Texas, and pulling deputies off patrol to drive them back and forth for court. That’s money and manpower taken away from Kaufman County. This facility brings those costs back under our control and allows us to use our resources where they matter most: protecting our communities.
Why now?
Because delaying will cost us more. Juvenile crime is rising. Construction costs are rising. And we already have 18 juveniles on ankle monitors who—if they violate their terms—can’t be detained because we don’t have space. That’s not just a public safety risk; it’s a failure to enforce the law. The longer we wait, the worse it gets—and the more expensive the solution becomes.
Are there other options?
No other option meets our legal or operational needs. Housing juveniles in the adult jail is illegal. Leasing space from other counties is expensive, inconsistent, and gives us no control. A purpose-built, local facility is the only solution that brings accountability, safety, and compliance together under one roof.
What exactly are we building?
We’re building a secure juvenile justice center that includes classrooms, mental health services, secure housing, and medical care—not a warehouse or jail. And it’s being designed with future expansion in mind. When we add beds down the road, we won’t have to build additional cafeterias, rec areas, or classrooms—those costly parts are included now, so future expansions are far more affordable.
Why does the Juvenile Detention Center need to be located in Kaufman?
The County seat is Kaufman, and just like our adult jail and courts, this facility must be located there. That’s where our legal and justice infrastructure is concentrated. It ensures legal compliance, efficiency, and local control.
Why not save and build it later?
Because we’re already spending more not building it. We’re paying for out-of-county housing, constant transportation, and wasting valuable law enforcement hours. Bonds allow us to act now, lock in costs, and pay them back over time—instead of paying more later and still having nothing to show for it.
How do we know the money will be spent wisely?
The bond includes built-in transparency: public audits, oversight, and accountability. The Commissioners Court—your elected officials—will manage the project, and they know the public is watching. They’re also aiming to come in under the maximum bond amount by getting competitive bids. That may not be possible, but that is their clear goal.
Does this create a long term burden for taxpayers?
No. This is a limited-term bond aimed at replacing current inefficient spending. We’re already paying for juvenile detention—we’re just not getting anything permanent for it. This shifts that spending into something that actually benefits Kaufman County long-term.
Will this reduce juvenile crime and recidivism?
Yes. Counties with local juvenile facilities consistently see lower recidivism. That’s because they keep kids connected to family, monitored locally, and given a chance to succeed. Accountability works best when it’s close to home—and that’s exactly what this project delivers.
Any final words for voters?
We’re not asking for this because it’s easy—we’re asking because it’s necessary. Right now, we’re failing both our kids and our community by not having a place to hold juvenile offenders safely and locally. Proposition A gives us the chance to fix that the right way—with accountability, compassion, and common sense.
