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From stray pet sterilizations to a $140.4 million judicial complex, here's the latest government-related news impacting Bastrop County.
Bastrop County taps consultant for data center analysis
Bastrop County is hiring Philadelphia-based PFM Group Consulting to analyze budget and tax policies related to data center developments.
The details
During a March 9 meeting, the Bastrop County Commissioners approved a professional services agreement with PFM Group Consulting at a not to exceed value of $100,000 for the financial analysis and $9,000 for travel and reimbursable expenses, according to county documents.
“The county is interested in the long-term impact to the county’s tax base related to data center developments, including whether a proposed structure is in the county’s best interest over a ten-year, or other, period of time,” the professional services agreement says.
What we know
A $1.4 billion data center campus in Cedar Creek is currently in the works.
The project—known as DFW33220N and being developed by Virginia-based data center provider EdgeConneX—will take between five to eight years to complete and span 2.8 million square feet.
What else?
A targeted completion date for the financial analysis was not available as of press time.
Bastrop County officials unveiled plans for a $140.5 million judicial complex designed to expand courtroom capacity and modernize justice system infrastructure to keep up with a growing population.
The details
The Bastrop County Judicial Complex project is outlined in the county’s Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2026-31, which was adopted Jan. 29.
Approximately $10.5 million of the $140.5 million is budgeted for planning and architecture.
A relocation of offices for the district court, district attorney and district clerk to a new judicial complex would provide the remaining currently used offices more room to expand, according to the CIP.
The outlook
The judicial complex will be built on county-owned land beginning in fiscal year 2028-29, according to the CIP.
The Texas Department of State Health Services launched a Texas Spay and Neuter Program, and Bastrop County will be among the first counties for consideration.
What we know
Although award amounts range from $50,000 to $500,000 per fiscal year, Bastrop County Assistant Auditor Nicole Moore told commissioners Bastrop County Animal Services is seeking $375,000 over the course of the two fiscal years.
“The focus of the Texas Spay and Neuter pilot program is to protect human health by reducing the population of cats and dogs that may carry infectious diseases,” according to open enrollment documents for the Texas Spay and Neuter Program. “Eligible activity includes the sterilization of cats and dogs.”
“This is going to be $300 per dog for spay and neuter, and $200 per cat for spay and neuter,” Moore said during a Feb. 23 Bastrop County Commissioners Court meeting. “That’s roughly 10 cats and 10 dogs per week that we would be reimbursed on.”
