Friday, April 19, 2024
An unexpected jump of $3 million in the cost estimate of a new justice building delayed approval of financial plans to proceed with the project and also at least temporarily delayed financing approval for expansion of the Coryell County Jail.
Coryell County Commissioner Scott Weddle said Butler-Cohen, tapped as the construction firm on county projects, submitted an estimate of $8.56 million to complete work on a proposed Justice building that would house two county justice of the peace offices. The previous estimate was $5.5 million.
“I got some very disturbing news from Butler-Cohen, and there are still a lot of questions,” Weddle said. “Their estimated price on the Leon Street annex went up from $5.5 million to $8.56 million. That’s a 36% increase. My personal opinion is to set that aside” (to resolve issues related to the projected cost).
The county had also approved plans to expand the jail, which has been cited for not complying with state jail standards. Weddle suggested moving forward with jail expansion but delaying approval of the proposed Justice building, which would be located on Leon Street.
“In my opinion the jail expansion is our number one priority,” Weddle said.
“Yes sir,” said Commissioner Kyle Matthews.
The state could impose severe financial penalties on the county if jail overcrowding issues are not resolved.
County Judge Roger Miller noted that money had been set aside in the budget specifically for the justice building —not for work at the jail.
“The jail addition was not discussed or considered during budget,” Miller said. “The funds were allocated for a particular reason, and the jail expansion was added as a way to piggyback on constriction for cost savings.”
In order to resolve questions and concerns, further discussion and decisions were delayed. The Commissioners Court was scheduled to place the item on the Dec. 27 agenda.
