WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS APPROVE EXPO PARK DESIGNATION, REPAIRS & DEMO WORK
on Tuesday honoring and recognizing Prairie View A&M
University for its 150th anniversary. Pictured with
commissioners are Faith Mission Executive Director
Rev. Randy Wells (front, left) and Ashley Darrisaw,
upcoming Prairie View A&M graduate and Faith Mission
summer intern.
Washington County Commissioners agreed today (Tuesday) on a new designation for the Expo facility and to move forward with items for repairs and demolition work.
The order approved by commissioners designates the Expo as the Washington County Expo Park. Expo Director Harrison Williams said this does not change the name or function of the Expo, but as the county explores potentially issuing certificates of obligation or calling a bond election for a covered rodeo arena, the park label can open up additional funding opportunities and flexibility.
Washington County Commissioners on Tuesday about an
order creating a park designation for the Expo facility.
Additionally, commissioners authorized Collier Construction as the construction manager at risk to seek bids for repairs and maintenance at the Expo, including the demolition and removal of the JLA building and related site and utility work. Williams said the JLA building has not been used lately for much other than storage.
Williams said the project will cover utility improvements, including electrical upgrades for the barns and food court, plumbing repairs for the sales facility and entertainment pavilion, and work on the sanitary sewer lines.
Proposals from all vendors, suppliers and subcontractors will be due to Collier Construction by Thursday, August 6th.
(courtesy Washington County)
In other business, commissioners approved a budgeted purchase for two ambulance modules in the amount of $595,400 through a Houston-Galveston Area Council contract. EMS Director Taylor Leonard said the new ambulances should go into service in December.
Additionally, commissioners signed off on a funding request from the Chappell Hill Volunteer Fire Department for $32,500 in order to provide required grant-matching funds for fire protection equipment. That includes $30,000 toward the purchase of a new 4,000-gallon water tender, $1,250 toward firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE), and another $1,250 toward fire and rescue equipment for existing vehicles and the new tender.
Chappell Hill VFD President and Captain Dustin Brown said the total cost for the items is approximately $453,825, but the department is receiving a $300,000 grant for the tender and $25,000 grants for the PPE and fire and rescue equipment. The request for county funding equals about 7.2 percent of the total project value. He said the department expects the water tender to be delivered between January and April of 2027.
Also at today’s meeting, commissioners
- Issued a proclamation honoring and recognizing Prairie View A&M University on its 150th anniversary.
- Heard a presentation from Washington County Chief Appraiser Dyann White regarding the calculation and development of county property tax rates and property tax exemptions available to eligible property owners.
- Received a six-month economic development update from Brenham | Washington County Economic & Community Development Director Teresa Rosales.
- Approved ancillary insurance amounts for the October 1st renewal for the 2026-27 plan year.
- Approved placing Creekview Trail (0.28 miles), Windmill Ridge (0.33 miles), Millwood Trail (0.29 miles) and Prairie Blossom Way (0.18 miles), located in the Windmill Ridge subdivision in Precinct 1, into the one-year maintenance period and reducing the bond to 50 percent.
Click here to view the agenda packet for Tuesday's meeting.