PLANS MOVE FORWARD FOR AUSTIN CO. JUSTICE CENTER COMPLEX

  

Austin County Commissioners are proceeding with plans to build a new jail and justice center complex.

Schematic drawings were presented to commissioners at their meeting Monday by architect Kenny Burns.  Burns said the design has been approved by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, and he is holding meetings individually with commissioners and the Austin County Sheriff as plans move forward.

Last November, voters approved a $17 million bond issue to cover costs of the justice center complex.  However, upgrades to the jail needed to be dealt with separately, since the facility is regulated by the state jail commission and would need to be done even if the bond issue failed to pass.

Soil reports for the justice center, jail and sheriff’s office were also approved.  The report for the justice center is priced around $3,800, and the report for the jail and sheriff’s office costs roughly $2,900.  Burns said these reports will help in designing the building foundation, and will save money in the long run.

Construction is slated to begin late this year.