WASHINGTON CO. TO PURSUE ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDING FOR COURTHOUSE RESTORATION

  

Washington County Commissioners approved a resolution during a special meeting on Monday to pursue additional grant funding for the purpose of restoring the exterior of the county courthouse.

Chief of Staff Carrie Marmol informed the court that crews discovered issues hidden behind some of the stones on the walls of the courthouse, including deteriorated anchors and the natural wearing down of the stone over time.  While not every stone will need to be taken off of the building, she said it will require more work, so the cost will go up.

The special meeting was called because the deadline to submit a funding application through the Texas Historical Commission (THC) was Monday at 5 p.m.  Marmol said the THC has the last say, not the commissioners court, on final approval for the project.

The county currently has $1.05 million in emergency funding available through the THC’s Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, based off of a $4 million maximum.  The estimated cost for the additional work is $1.23 million, and the county will apply to see if the THC would potentially grant that additional sum.

If the county receives the additional funding, its payment towards the new project cost of $7.48 million will remain at $2.24 million.  If the THC sticks to its $4 million limit, the county will need to contribute the extra $1.23 million, meaning a total county contribution of $3.48 million.  The county says it will pay its portion of the project with existing reserve funds.   

Facilities Manager Bobby Branham said it is urgent for the county to properly handle the repairs, because there are major safety concerns.

The initial timeline for the project called for completion in late July, but the county now expects that will be pushed back three to six months.