Thursday, April 25, 2024
Taking the next step in what a Coryell County facilities committee has deemed "dire needs" for some county offices, the Coryell County Commissioners Court set its top priorities for upcoming projects during a workshop on March 22. However, there were differing views on how to meet construction goals.
County Judge Roger Miller and commissioners Ray Ashby Jr., Ryan Basham and Kyle Matthews agreed that getting justices of the peace and their employees out of the dilapidated old jail facility, building a multipurpose courtroom and finding a new office for the Texas Department of Public Safety were key areas of concern to be addressed.
"We've been contemplating this going on two years now and, at this point, we need to talk about what to include in construction projects, the cost and if we're going to move forward or not," Miller said. "We have recommendations from the facilities advisory committee and realistic finance numbers."
The commissioners court had designs from an architectural firm for a building that was to also include a 9-1-1 call center, emergency management office and early voting site, but those items were taken out to produce a streamlined facility with an estimated price tag of $5.5 million.
"I'd like the court to consider adding those items into the concept," Miller said. "We have $5.9 million budgeted for capital improvements this year, and money from taxes allocated for capital improvements."
Miller said because of rising property values, the amount of tax revenue has steadily increased and continues to do so, meaning there is more money available for capital improvements. That revenue amounted to $243,381 in 2017, was $331,469 for 2020 and was expected to rise to $351,071 by 2024 and $441,300 by 2027.
"Right now, we have no bond debt, and bond debt is not necessarily a bad thing," he said.
He suggested bumping the total project cost from $6 million to $8 million to cover the facilities needs, saying a five-year bond would be less than $400,000.
"This would have no impact on the tax rate at all," Miller said. "Then look at 2024 and we could have two projects on independent properties under one bond."
He said those properties could include a new courthouse annex building and a 150- to 160-bed jail, "using the best numbers available and using $33 million as a total base number. That would have the least impact on taxpayers as we can and would give us two simultaneous projects at $33 million – that's 6.6 cents on a 30-year bond."
Based on growth trends for Coryell County, Miller said additional revenues can be expected to help pay for construction costs.
"There are plats (for new housing) in Jonesboro, Oglesby and across the county," he said. "I think it's time this court starts doing projects to get where most of us would like to be. We could package those two projects and I think we'll get voter buy-in and meet the goals the facilities committee has set."
Miller said the first thing to address is "the immediate needs project. It triggers what we can or cannot do in the next couple of years ... this would take advantage of tax gains and we've already taken a step in that direction."
Commissioner Matthews asked for clarification.
"What are we looking at today – I'm a little bit confused," he said. "I don't think we can afford the Heffelfinger design (produced for the county previously). I like the design and the purpose of it. But I don't know how we can justify the cost going into it.
"I know we need JP space, but I think we ought to take baby steps moving forward and then plan what we're going to do. I don't see spending $6 million on that lot for that building. But there's no doubt there's a need for those three items (justice of the peace space, a multipurpose courtroom and DPS space).
One person attending the workshop asked, "What's it going to take to get all five of y'all (county commissioners and judge) on board (with a construction option)?"
"We've definitely got to do something for the JPs – that's the bottom line," said Commissioner Basham.
Commissioner Ashby suggested looking at cheaper options.
"I think what's most important – we need to get going and get some momentum to get the confidence of the county as a whole," said Fred Chavez, a Copperas Cove City Council member who served on the facilities committee. "If we're going to lower the price, what can we take out? We can't keep pushing this down the road. Let's cut the things out that we can do without and move forward, or it hurts our credibility."
One person attending the workshop noted that the longer the county delays taking action, the higher the cost, which eventually will be when constriction is finally approved.
"My point is why would you spend $6 million if you can get it for $3 million and get the same product," Matthews said. He noted that the road and bridge department is constructed a new facility for $82 per square foot.
"I can't in my right mind sell you a soda pop for $18 when it's only worth a buck," Matthews said.
Miller said the two components to be considered are functionality and cost, "if someone comes in and can build something that fits all our priorities for $6 million ...."
Matthews said he thought a building should be constructed for closer to $3.5 million.
"We budgeted $6 million," Miller said. "Why would we go down to $3.5 million?"
"The cost was too much," Matthews said. "I think we need to take baby steps – fix the most pressing needs. The JPs and DPS need an office, and they need a courtroom."
Miller said he would like to see a server room on site to house the computer servers rather than having that facility based in Waco.
Going around the room, one thing the commissioners and Miller agreed on was that the office for justices of the peace, the multipurpose courtroom and the DPS office were top priorities.
"I think the 9-1-1 call center would need to go somewhere else," Ashby said.
Matthews asked if the property near the Extraco bank and across from the post office which is currently being used for the commissioners court meeting space, the early voting site, and emergency management office was something the county was planning to continue using.
"I don't think it's in the long-term plan," Miller said.
"I think we ought to keep it and continue using it," Matthews said. "It's the cheapest route and being a good steward of taxpayer money."
The commissioners court will follow up on the workshop discussion and address facilities needs at a future meeting.
