County weighs courthouse restoration costs

Ozona — Crockett County commissioners reviewed a courthouse restoration planning grant Nov. 9 that requires a 30% county match, discussing the potential financial commitment while awaiting state paperwork needed to formally accept the award.

The courthouse discussion was part of a meeting that also included approval of new jail dispatch computers, an ambulance grant application, flood-recovery updates and consideration of a $25,000 charitable contribution for Helping Hands. The meeting was held at the Crockett County Courthouse Annex.

A design-team representative told commissioners the county had been awarded a Texas Historical Commission planning grant for courthouse restoration drawings, but the formal grant agreement had not yet arrived. Construction funding would require a separate application, with the representative identifying May 2028 as the next application opportunity.

The representative said the county would pay 30% of eligible costs, with the state covering the remainder. Some expenses would fall outside the grant’s eligible costs.

Commissioners discussed the matching requirement and cited a $2.1 million estimate in connection with a possible future construction grant. The discussion did not establish what costs that estimate included, and no expenditure of that amount was approved during the courthouse discussion.

Before accepting the planning grant, the county needs a legal description and survey drawing of the courthouse property. Commissioners requested another survey proposal from a firm the county has previously used. 

The design representative also explained that completing the planning work would not obligate the county to proceed immediately with construction. The resulting drawings could support a future construction-grant application or smaller projects outside the grant program.

Flood repairs continue

County officials reported continued repairs to roads damaged by flooding, including locations where subsequent rain washed out earlier work. Crews also were working on the jail roof and cemetery fencing.

A road department representative said Federal Emergency Management Agency inspections were expected to begin Nov. 10 with damaged buildings in town before moving to county roads. Officials discussed seeking reimbursement for eligible repairs.

Officials also discussed arrangements for FEMA to use a small room at the Civic Center to assist residents. They said FEMA planned to send an agreement for county review before using the space. No opening date or operating hours were established.

Dispatch computers approved

Commissioners approved purchasing two computers from the county’s technology hardware budget to support previously approved CSI software at the jail dispatch console.

A sheriff’s office representative said the existing computers were relatively new but lacked processors capable of running the new dispatch system. Staff had spent months trying to avoid replacing them.

The purchase was described during the discussion as costing about $5,000. Delaying the software transition could require renewing the existing software contract and related services, adding substantially more expense.

Commissioners directed that the displaced computers be reused elsewhere in county operations.

The court also approved proceeding with an application for fiscal year 2027 ambulance grant funding. A separate discussion addressed applying for the sheriff’s department’s 2027 SB 22 grant and using that funding to support personnel.

Helping hands funding discussed

Commissioners reviewed Helping Hands’ finances and discussed an operating shortfall of about $2,000 a month.   

The court took no immediate action on additional county funding for Helping Hands. Instead, discussion shifted to designating the organization as the recipient of a $25,000 charitable contribution from Shamrock Energy Storage for 2027.

A motion to designate Helping Hands was made and seconded. Commissioners also said they could revisit assistance if the organization’s finances worsened before the contribution became available.

Collection Center improvements proposed

Commissioners considered an estimated $88,378 concrete structure at the Collection Center to replace a deteriorating barrier used when loading material into roll-off containers. The proposal included labor and materials.

During discussion, commissioners identified available park-renovation funds as a possible funding source. 

The court also heard a resident’s proposal for a cat sanctuary, cat café and trapping, sterilization and vaccination program. The presenter offered to pursue grants and partnerships, while commissioners questioned how the operation would be managed and funded. 

This article was created with artificial intelligence and edited by staff.