WASHINGTON CO. RESPONDS TO JUDICIAL PROCLAMATION SUSPENDING COURT PROCEEDINGS AT COURTHOUSE
Washington County has responded to an order issued on Monday by the District and County Court at Law Judges that temporarily suspends court proceedings at the courthouse.
The county’s release points to statements made in the judges’ order regarding concerns about the “structural integrity and safety” of the courthouse. The county says the current construction at the courthouse “is focused on exterior restoration work” and stresses that the statements on structural integrity “do not reflect concerns with the building’s internal structural system.” It adds that “there have been no findings indicating that the building is unsafe for occupancy.”
Per the release, County Judge John Durrenberger implemented safety measures in mid-January, including perimeter fencing around the courthouse square and installing additional overhead protection at all public entrance points. A project change order addressed the expanded scope for repairing the exterior anchor systems that support the stones on the courthouse walls.
Speaking on the noise stemming from construction that has led to court proceedings occasionally being cancelled, the county says it plans to conduct noise decibel testing this week to “help evaluate construction-related impacts and ensure that court operations and working environments remain appropriate moving forward.”
Plans are being finalized to utilize an off-site location to hold court proceedings. Currently, the county is looking at using the space in the Commercial Exhibits/Country Creations building at the Washington County Expo, pending necessary security approvals from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Brenham Fire Marshal, Texas Commission on Jail Standards, and the Office of Court Administration.
The county says it “remains committed to transparency, safety, and maintaining uninterrupted service to the public.”
In the meantime, those who are impacted by the suspension of court proceedings will be notified about rescheduled dates or alternative arrangements.