BY ANNA MANESS
Williamson County is asking for legislative approval to add a new district court to the county in 2025. In a 3-2 split vote, county commissioners approved a resolution Jan. 14 in support of legislation to create a new district court. Depending on if and when the resolution gets approved by the Texas Legislature, the court could be established as early as October, Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long said. It’s been 35 years since the county created a new criminal district court, County Judge Bill Gravell said. Commissioners also agreed to issue a request for proposal for a consultant to evaluate the county’s case flow management practices for district and county courts. WilCo officials push for new district court
A closer look
What else?
Several other changes are underway for Wil- liamson County as officials prepare to transition into a new headquarters building, which finishes construction in 2025. Commissioners agreed to look into relocating the county’s Jail and Justice Center functions from downtown Georgetown to a potential new facility by 2030. At a Dec. 10 meeting, commissioners agreed to begin soliciting for a new program manager, who will help the county regulate growth. According to a staff presentation, the county could have 16 pos- sible facility relocations over the next five years. In 2026, county departments plan on moving into two new buildings: the new headquarters and the 28-acre Lake Creek Annex building, according to the Dec. 10 presentation. Departments also expect to begin moving into the new Juvenile Justice Center in 2027. These new facilities will eventually house county departments, which creates more space in downtown buildings, Precinct 3 Executive Assistant Rachel Arnold said.
In the future, commissioners plan on vacating the Williamson County Courthouse and officials discussed turning it into Georgetown’s visitors center or giving it to The Williamson Museum. The courthouse could either be leased or sold to the city, commissioners said, but no decision was made at the meeting. “This building is the center of Williamson County, Texas, and it has been in that capacity for the last 112 years,” Gravell said. “There may be a day that the city takes that over and manages it, but this building will always be the epicenter of Williamson County.”
Future Williamson County Headquarters
1460
SOUTHWESTERN BLVD.
Facility move-in dates
= Confirmed
N
Inmate population
WilCo headquarters Lake Creek Annex Juvenile Justice Center
2026
Future Lake Creek Annex
Williamson County has experienced a 327% increase in inmate population since 1992.
2024: 683
2027
183
Justice Center expansion Sheriff’s Office and Jail expansion
STAKED PLAINS DR.
2028
183A TOLL
1992: 160
2029
N
New Jail and Justice Center facility
2030
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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