The Johnson County Commissioners Court on Oct. 14 approved a transfer of $4,000,000 from the county's Annex Fund to a new fund for purchasing and renovating the building at 110 North Main in Cleburne.

The court voted unanimously to move $4,000,000 to Fund 7075 for the purchase and renovation; the county is under contract and staff indicated an estimated closing in early November. County staff previously briefed the court that the building's occupant is scheduled to vacate Oct. 30 and the estimated closing date in the contract is Nov. 5.

Separately, the court approved an amendment to the FY2025 budget that authorizes $8,500,000 in transfers from the unassigned portion of the general fund. That action commits $1,500,000 to the county health care fund (fund 0119), $450,000 to the construction reserve fund, and $6,550,000 to the JOCO Annex Renovation Capital Project Fund 7073 to align reserves with the county's fund-balance policy and to fund planned construction without issuing new debt. The action carried unanimously.

County facilities manager Cody Sibley told the court that several projects are pending and that the 110 North Main acquisition and renovation work will be funded from the reallocated balance. Sibley said utilities are awaiting closing, that a Burleson awning and concrete project is complete and that the county plans a handicap ramp at the extension office that would be done as a one-day Saturday project to minimize disruption.

Why it matters: The transfer funds a planned move of county operations into 110 North Main and accelerates renovation work while preserving the county's operating reserve. Commissioners said the contingency built into the transfer is intended to reduce the likelihood of returning to the court for further appropriations on this project.

What comes next: Closing on the purchase is expected in November; design and renovation planning will proceed from the new project fund. The court set the transfers and budget amendment into effect at the Oct. 14 meeting.