After an extended period of testy discussion, the Hays County Commissioner Court earlier this month voted 4-1 to adopt a new contract with Securus Inc. for jail communication services.

County Judge Ruben Becerra was the sole dissenting vote.

The proposal, which was sponsored by Pct. 4 Commissioner Walt Smith and Sheriff Gary Cutler, differed from an item on a December agenda sponsored by Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell in duration and structure.

While the previous proposal called for a five-year cont...