Georgetown Edition | June 2026

Government

BY GRACIE WARHURST

WilCo approves land for justice center

SOUTHWESTERN BLVD.

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government operations, and meet the needs of the growing population. The vote to close on the land sale passed 4-0, with County Judge Steve Snell absent. Commissioners also authorized up to $150 million in tax anticipation notes, a short- term funding strategy to minimize interest, that will cover the $76 million land cost.

Williamson County commissioners formally authorized a land purchase and funding mechanism May 19 for a 255-acre tract in southwest Georgetown intended for the justice center. Located on SE Inner Loop adjacent to the new county administration building, commissioners said the location will allow for ecient

How we got here

targeted completion date of 2030 or 2031, Clemons said. The county approved the $75.82 million purchase of the site March 24. There were also options to delay building the justice center for ve more years, and use some of the current justice space to proceed with non- criminal operations, Clemons said. Delaying the expansion would increase the cost of the project due to ination and increasing construction prices, she said.

Rebecca Clemons laid out logistical possibilities for the future justice center location. Expanding the current downtown facility would require a $115 million jail remodel, plumbing infra- structure upgrades and a plan to house inmates in dierent counties during construction, Clemons said. Georgetown’s city zoning regulations limit new construction to two stories, which would restrict the expansion of the jail site. Because of this, the long-term solution is to build the larger, phased justice campus, with a

County ocials said the current justice facilities have urgent infrastructure needs that require timely attention. Sheri Matt Lindemann said there are severe maintenance issues, including sewage leaks caused by the jail ooding the oces below. He also said the jail’s intake and secured entry areas are past maximum capacity. One of the most critical needs in a new justice center is additional courtrooms, Precinct 4 Com- missioner Russ Boles said. In a presentation May 12, County Manager

One more thing

The discussion

County sta are also working on how best to utilize available space in downtown properties to alleviate overcrowding as many county oces will move to the new administration building this summer. By building the jail and justice center on the 255-acre tract, the county aims to consolidate services and add to a government campus, which includes adjacent county facilities, Covey said. By the end of July, several spaces downtown will be largely vacated, including: The historic courthouse The Georgetown tax oce The internal audit oce The county clerk’s records and archives division The Bob Phillips building

The majority of residents who spoke during public comment May 12 and May 19 oppose the site of the justice center because of its proximity to neighborhoods and schools. “We are going to be worried every night we go to bed,” resident Courtney Cross said. “Is this person that’s getting out of jail going to walk on down through our neighborhoods and break into our houses looking for money or for housing?” Residents of nearby Saddle Creek and Carlson Place also expressed concern for home values once the justice center is built. “I think most people in this room do agree a new jail is necessary, but this location is not,” resident Jason Blue said. “The site is not compatible with a residential community. The county should not force this burden onto nearby families.” One resident spoke in support of the proposed location, saying it represents a nancial commit- ment to public safety and infrastructure needs. “I honestly don’t understand the fear and vociferous opposition here,” resident Jonah

“In my years on the Commissioner’s Court, there’s hard decisions that we have to make, and this ranks up there

with one of the hardest ones because any location that we would pick, there’s going to be individuals [aected].” VALERIE COVEY, PRECINCT 3 COMMISSIONER

Gomez said. “Williamson County needs a strong justice system, space ample for current demand and [that] takes into account for growth. The space the county is currently looking at Inner Loop ts this description.” Commissioners acknowledged the comments and concerns of residents, but decided to proceed with the project.

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