Montgomery County commissioners remained conflicted on how much funding to go for in a potential bond for the construction of a new justice center as the Aug. 6 deadline to call the election approaches.
What happened
Talk of a new justice center started when commissioners assessed the need for new courts and the need for keeping a safer community. The current courthouse was built in 1936, and judges have expressed concerns over a lack of space and structural issues. Now, the court must decide how the new justice center will be funded.
Community Impact previously reported commissioners voted to approve Dallas-based Brinkley Sargent Wiginton Architects, or BSW Architects for the project during a July 9 meeting.
By the numbers
Out of several scenarios, Budget Officer Amanda Carter said the preliminary bond number should fall between $300-$400 million.
One option for a $300 million bond election in November 2026, would cause a $0.0137 increase in the debt service tax rate. For the $400 million scenario, the rate increase would be $0.0180; going from $0.0445 cents in 2026 and 2027 to $0.0625 in 2028.
A $350 million bond would be a $0.0160 tax rate increase by 2029, John Robuck, financial advisor for the county, BOK Financial Securities, Inc. said. Tax rates are also being evaluated and compared for different home values ranging from $100,000-$600,000.
The timeline
The two bond election timelines available are for November 2026 and May 2027. In order to be on the November 2026 ballot, the court must call the bond election between Aug. 5-17. To be on the May 2027 ballot, the court must call the bond election between Jan. 31-Feb. 12.
The debate
County Judge Mark Keough said to keep a culture of deterrence and a safe environment, the county must act.
“I'm convinced that the courthouse is our first step here, we're able to do it, we can move forward on it. And the judges have asked us to move forward with courts to be able to do it. We voted on that,” Keough said.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley said they’re moving too fast on a decision and there should be a one time vote on taxes increasing.
“We need to put all this together as one bond package and go out one time ... [That’s] the only way this is going to work,” Riley said. “I really think we need to slow down, and I know [commissioners] don't want May and that's fine. If you don't want May, then we do it next November. What’s that going to hurt?”
Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler said he's not comfortable aiming for the May bond, especially if it’s a joint May bond.
“When we went out for the road bond, we had 4% of the registered voters turn out. 1.8% of the population,” Wheeler said. ”When I saw that voter turnout, I just can't believe that we are straddling our taxpayers with that much debt on that little input. I would rather have more input from the voters.”
What’s next
Keough said the quicker they make a decision, the quicker a courthouse can be built and judges can have additional space and resources.
Commissioners are also weighing a bond to address jail overcrowding issues with a new facility. However, Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle said the estimated cost of the new jail would range from $750 million-$1 billion.
A professional firm was hired to study the cost of a jail and estimated a final cost of up to $1.2 billion. Doolittle said he’s trying to get the cost down to $750 million by reassessing the evaluations and other studies.
Commissioners must decide on a final number for a bond by Aug. 6.
