SOME AUSTIN CO. OFFICES TO MOVE INTO NEW JUSTICE CENTER
OFFICES EXPECTED TO BE MOVED OVER IN SPRING
As work nears completion on Austin County’s new justice center in Bellville, several county offices will be moving out of the courthouse into the new building.
Austin County Judge Tim Lapham said the district and county clerks, county court at law and justice of the peace for Precinct 1 will move into the new facility on Chesley Street. The adult probation office will also transition to the justice center from its current location in downtown. Lapham’s office, along with the offices of the treasurer, auditor and juvenile probation, will remain at the courthouse.
The move is expected to be complete by March or early April.
Lapham said initial plans were to move the offices over in the fall, but the county has run into construction delays at the facility.
Lapham said lack of space at the courthouse was a driving factor in moving offices to the new location.
The project is contracted to Gaeke Construction of Giddings for $10.5 million, using proceeds from a $17 million bond passed by Austin County voters in November 2018. The remaining funds were used to build a new EMS station in Sealy, which was completed shortly before last February’s winter storm.
Lapham said an open house is planned to be held at the justice center before offices are moved over.