GEORGETOWN — Two public information sessions regarding Williamson County’s new Justice Complex Project will take place this month and next.
The first session will be Jan. 15 and the second session is Feb. 18. The sessions will be held at the EMS North Campus, 3189 S.E. Inner Loop from 5-7 p.m.
The public is invited to learn more about the Justice Complex Project, ask questions and share input, officials said.
Attendees are encouraged to come and go at their convenience.
According to a news release, the Justice Complex Project was formed to examine the current and future needs of the Justice Center and Jail.
Last July, the Williamson County Commissioners Court hired Kitchell/CEM as program manager for the project.
In a recent update to the court, Kitchell confirmed the county’s current facilities are out of space and a new Justice Center and jail will be required to meet future needs.
The project could help alleviate the following issues, consultants said, including:
• A new state district court is being added this year, but there is no available courtroom space.
• Offices are over capacity, with staff sharing work areas and limited meeting space for attorneys and clients.
• Families and witnesses have minimal waiting areas during trials.
•The main entry point is crowded, creating congestion and logistical concerns.
The current conditions for the Williamson County Jail and Sheriff’s Office that need improvements are:
• Jail designs have evolved significantly in the past 25 years, and updating the current facility to meet modern standards will require a major investment.
• The current building can support some capacity increase but not the full buildout needed for the future.
• Sheriff’s Office operations are frequently disrupted by the jail cells located above the office area.
• Sheriff’s Office staffing has quadrupled in the last 35 years.
According to wilcotx.gov, Williamson County has grown in population from 139,000 in 1990 to 727,480 in 2024.
By 2050, the county is projected to have a population of 1.6 million.
Comments about the project also can be emailed to publicinformation@ wilcotx.gov.
