“If the goal is to move somewhere else, I don't know that we need to pour a whole lot of money into the jail and justice [center]. So that might be something that we consider holding off on,” Precinct 3 County Commissioner Valerie Covey said.
What’s happening?
Currently located in downtown Georgetown, Covey cited the necessity for greater capacity. She also mentioned the long range plan for the justice center involves connecting the justice center and jail.
The commissioners discussed whether the downtown location provides enough space for an expansion.
“What jails were 10 years ago versus what they are today is different,” Precinct 4 County Commissioner Russ Boles said. “So it’s going to be expensive honestly. ... We need to figure out the right direction, because after we talk about the direction, [we will] want to go to the public.”
The alternative to downtown expansion entails combining the justice center and jailhouse into one building on a 150-acre property outside of the downtown area but still within city limits.
Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell questioned the future of the county headquarters being tied to the city of Georgetown.
“I love Georgetown, you know. As a kid I grew up coming here, but also don't know that it’s the highest and best use of the county to build in this area,” Gravell said. “What I mean by that is, I think we own some precious resources in the downtown area that would be better used to deal with tax revenue.”
Stay tuned
The commissioners will determine capital improvement funding for fiscal year 2023-24 at the upcoming meeting Oct. 10, including the amount allotted for the jail and justice center. Regardless of current space, plans for renovations or a potential new site are not projected to begin for at least three years.
