New CAD facility proceeds
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

Looking to make things more convenient for local property owners, Wharton County Commissioners Court awarded the bid for the county-owned lot at the intersection of Milam and Resident Streets to the Wharton County Central Appraisal District.

The $46,000 bid was the minimum set by the commissioners court based on an independent appraisal of the property.

It will allow the CAD to build a new facility across the street from the Wharton County Courthouse Annex building in Wharton.

The county had initially announced the intent to sell the land to the appraisal district outright before learning it would have to be bid. Because of that earlier commitment, County Judge John Murrile urged commissioners to approve the sale.

"You originally agreed to sell the lot to them," he said. "Now is the time to do the right thing."

The bid was approved by a 3-1 vote with Precinct 2 Commissioner Chris King opposed to the sale. He has consistently said he felt it was in the county's best interest to retain the property for expansion of the Wharton County Jail or future construction of expanded courtroom facilities and records storage.

The commissioners also took action on two items involving the former and new Precinct 1 facility. The first of those items was to authorize the judge to sign an amendment to the commercial contract for the sale of the former Precinct 1 property to Precision Gas Well Testing.

The amendment set the closing date as Feb. 1. The sale price for the property, already approved by the commissioners, was $294,000.

In taking action on the new facility, commissioners approved a contract for the construction of buildings at the new Precinct 1 location off Texas 60 south of Wharton. The price is $254,600 and includes the construction of a 100 by 80 foot shop facility and 200 by 80 foot shed.

The proposed new Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace building moved two steps closer to reality Monday.

In another property transaction following an executive session, commissioners approved submitting a letter of intent to purchase the proposed site from the First State Bank of Louise.

The half-acre lot is located adjacent to the bank at the intersection of Colorado and Third Streets and faces U.S. Business 59.

In a separate action, the commissioners approved going out for requests for proposal to find an architect for the project. When asked if the county was looking at a metal building, Precinct 3 Commissioner Philip Miller said it would more likely be a wood frame structure similar in appearance to the bank.

In a previous interview, Miller said the county has already appropriated $200,000 in the current budget for construction of the building, which would be approximately 40 foot by 80 foot in size.