Williamson County Allocates $2.8M For Capital Projects

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TEXAS — The Williamson County Commissioners Court on Tuesday allocated about $2.8 million for capital improvement projects, officials said.

The commissioners court had a total of $18,469,224 to allocate toward capital requests or requests that are outside of what is needed for normal maintenance and operation during this fiscal year, officials said in a press advisory. Of that total, some $13 million already had been allocated, officials added. Another $2.395 million has not been allocated for future items that may need to be addressed before the end of the fiscal year, officials noted.

The Commissioners Court approved $2.5 million for a remodel of the Justice Center, located at 405 MLK in Georgetown. Moreover, Commissioner Cynthia Long agreed to lead a team of elected officials to discuss the scope and specifics of the improvements from a list of requested items. Recommendations are expected to be finalized by July 1.

Officials said part of that money will be spent on improvements recommended from a security assessment being conducted by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). The Commissioners Court approved the agreement on Tuesday with NCSC for $23,350 at the request of the district judges, district attorney, county attorney, district clerk and county clerk.

“The Justice Center is a place for people from hard places," District Judge Betsy Lambeth of the 425th District said. "This building sees the worst life has to offer. This building sees people living in fear, desperate, and emotional. Oftentimes, this is the worst day of their life. The last thing we want is for people to come into his building and be victims of violence.”

Lambeth said the security assessment to protect members of the public walking through that door, including people serving on jury duty, employees and the public at large.

“We average 1,000 people a day through that building,” County Judge Bill Gravell noted. “I don’t know of another county building that has that volume.”

In addition, the Commissioners Court approved $250,000 for improvements to the Sheriff’s Office and jail. Another $250,000 was earmarked for repair of a gas line to the historic courthouse. Additionally, the Commissioners Court gave $50,000 for an assessment of the county’s parking garage at Fourth and Rock streets.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles and Senior Director of Emergency Services Chris Connealy were directed to review the current location of the Taylor EMS Station and then make a recommendation to the court on needs by July 1. A specific dollar amount was not identified for this capital improvement project, officials said.

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