The details
The project already obtained the necessary environmental permitting, according to an update from Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell during the March 26 meeting, and commissioners made final decisions for design plans the week prior.
A total of $90 million was approved by commissioners back in February 2023, as the county plans to shift operations from the historic Williamson County Courthouse to a new location in Georgetown, located on a 170-acre tract near the corner of Southwestern Boulevard and SE Inner Loop.
The project is being funding by tax anticipation notes dating back to 2021. Tax anticipation notes allow government entities to issue debt and repay with future tax collections.
The new building will house the tax assessor and collection's office—including a drive-thru window—county clerk, county judge's office, Commissioners Court courtroom, budget office, public affairs and county auditor, according to county staff.
Adjacent to the anticipated administration building, the headquarters property is already home to the Williamson County Emergency Services Operations Center, the Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter and the Williamson County Extension Services.
Looking ahead
The county has not yet disclosed plans for the historic courthouse property, which will remain under county ownership.
A groundbreaking for the new building is scheduled for May 14. Construction for the entire building is expected to be complete by fall 2025, with county services being moved by December 2025, according to Gravell.
“[Chasco] has broken it into three stages: site development, concrete still and finish-out. We know that the total is not to exceed $90 million, because that's what we agreed to, and all of our estimates tell us that we will come in below that,” Gravell said. “Construction will begin no later than May 1. ... I have pressed our team really hard on that timeline.”
