Montgomery County is moving forward with renovations to a former middle school that will create a permanent active shooter training facility to be used by agencies statewide.
Commissioners agreed Tuesday to begin securing contractors, hiring personnel and creating a master plan for the facility in New Caney.
Earlier this year, the state approved $23 million in funding for the facility that Montgomery County and the Texas Department of Public Safety will jointly operate.
Since October, county law enforcement agencies have been providing training at the former Keefer Crossing Middle School, leasing the property that is now privately owned for $23,000 a month.
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As the county moves forward with the master plan, Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack wanted the county to ensure that any personnel positions would terminate if the state or grant funding were to end for the facility.
“If that money goes away, these positions and personnel are gone,” Noack said. “I want to make sure we vote on it in court.”
Jason Millsaps, executive director of the county’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said he is working with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office to develop the plan and provide staffing. Millsaps said he would get costs for the plan and bring it back to court for approval.
“Y’all’s connectivity on this is going to be key,” Noack said. “I’m glad y’all are working together.”
Millsaps said the state funding will cover the operations, including dorms and staff, to offer the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training developed by Texas State University, which became mandatory for all law enforcement Sept. 1.
“It will allow us to buy the facility, update the facility, staff the facility with full-time trainers instead of taking men and women off the street from the sheriff’s office and constable’s agencies so we will have dedicated training staff there.”
He said the funds also will cover needed repairs to restore power and water from damage caused by burglars before the county leased the building. The county has been using portable power, heating and air conditioning to be able to use the facility.
Millsaps said the facility will be county-owned and staffed with six personnel through the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and five through the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
