EMILY TREADWAY
GEORGETOWN — County Commissioners Tuesday approved a multimilliondollar land purchase for the proposed Williamson County Justice Complex even as critics of the project continue their opposition.
For the third week in a row, Williamson County Commissioners Court was bombarded by Georgetown residents speaking for more than hour against the choice of location for the center, yet commissioners forged ahead with the purchase of the property.
The project includes a new county jail not far from two schools and residential areas.
During the May 19 meeting, county leaders unanimously approved the $75 million price tag for 255 acres, including the 138-acre parcel, at the corner of Inner Loop and CR 110.
Place 2 Commissioner Terry Cook noted, “This is not a vote for the jail to go there, this is a vote to own the property.”
Place 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey, who has been the most adamant on the court about supporting the project, noted the county’s option on the property is up and the county had to make a decision.
The land is in her precinct. Earlier in the session, Place 4 Commissioner Russ Boles opined the county could have taken more time and done a better job of addressing residents’ concerns
about the project, but he still voted in favor of the land purchase.
Officials said the proposed complex is more than just a jailhouse and incorporates an overall justice center, including courtrooms, sheriff’s offices and more.
Boles added when he asked County Manager Rebecca Clemons or District Attorney Shawn Dick their thoughts on what additional space the county needed, the response was more courtrooms.
“This is what’s first and foremost on my mind as we go through the agenda today,” Boles said.
Place 1 Commissioner Cynthia Long noted the vote was one of the most difficult of her 20 years on the dais. She is serving out her term, which ends in January.
“I’ve thought long and hard about this discussion and in my years on the court there are hard decisions we have to make and this ranks up there as one of the hardest,” she said.
County Judge Steven Snell was out of town.
Commissioners next meet at 9:30 a.m. June 2 at 710 S. Main St. Sessions can also be viewed online at wilcotx. gov/331/Commissioners-Court.
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“This ranks up there as one of the hardest (votes).”
— Place 1 Commissioner Cynthia Long
