Harrison County Commissioners will consider approving a contract with Burns Architecture Inc. for the Harrison County Jail Annex Expansion Project when they meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Commissioners Courtroom within the Harrison County Courthouse.

Burns Architecture Inc., based in Fort Worth, has been involved with the design of more than 80 criminal justice projects like jails, sheriff's offices and courtrooms, according to its Web site. Their project list includes several East Texas projects, including the Marion County Jail expansion in Jefferson and the Panola County Detention Center in Carthage.

Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of 12.94 acres on State Highway 31 South at $12,000 an acre Sept. 29. The land is behind the Adult Parole Office and a welding supply business about a half mile east of the intersection of Highway 31 and U.S. Highway 59.

County Judge Richard Anderson said plans approved by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards call for a 196-bed facility. He added the current 96-bed jail building would be kept, and the 50 beds "upstairs will probably be retired and utilized for other purposes."

The court plans to start receiving bids in December with a return deadline of January. Construction is expected to take 14 to 16 months.

Commissioners are also expected to approve several items regarding a $250,000 Texas Community Development Block Grant on behalf of Talley Water Supply Corporation. The measures include:

Approval of a grant management contract with Amazing Grants Inc.

Approval of a project engineering project with Hayes Engineering.

Designation of Judge Anderson and his assistant as authorized signators.

Designation of Mary Kay Thomas as the labor standards officer.

In other business, the court is expected to consider:

Approve new stop signs for 4th Avenue (County Road 1405) at its intersection with Washington Street (County Road 1403) in Precinct 1 and Birmingham Road (County Road 1002) at its intersection with Cox Road (County Road 1001) in Precinct 2.

Entering an Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement with Bancorp South Equipment Finance for the lease of 10 vehicles as approved in the 2009-2010 county budget.

Approval of providing optional services to the Harrison County Indigent Health Care Program for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, as provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services. These are expected to include advanced practice nurse services, ambulatory surgical center services, colostomy supplies, diabetic supplies and physician assistant services.

A resolution for the annual Indigent Defense Formula Grant Program is also up for consideration.

Certification of the 2009 Harrison County tax roll.

Acceptance of a $4,652.50 donation from Kenneth Q. Carlile for expenses in revising the bylaws, rules and regulations for the Harrison County Airport.

Approval of a draw down request by Karnack Water Supply Corporation to pay CLB Engineers $7,455 for surveying services.

Approval of a Routine Airport Maintenance Program Grant for 2010 to cover the annual AWOS maintenance contract with Vaisala Inc. at a cost of $2,940 annually. This measure also includes authorization of payment of the county's share of $1,470 annually.

Action on the official ballot for the selecting a Harrison County Appraisal District Board director.

Action on extended warranties for election equipment with Hart Intercivic.

Approval of the Harrison County Emergency Plan for Elections.

Action on disclaimers for notice for acceptance of a plat for private subdivisions.

Line item and fund transfers, including transferring $25,000 from Insurance Claims Expense to Harrison County Benefit Trust.

Purchase of a $239.80 Safeco bookcase for District Attorney Joe Black.

Payment of regular and special bills.

Approval of Oct. 13 meeting minutes.

Reports from maintenance, human resources, information technology, road and bridge, airport and the sheriff's office.

Personnel changes in the Road and Bridge and Extension departments and the offices of Judge William Hughey, Justice of the Peace Nancy George and Justice of the Peace Mike Smith.

Approval of utility applications for Louisiana Midstream Gas Services LLC for State Line Road North (County Road 2618) and Shelby Operating Company for Magnolia Road (County Road 1114).