Court weighs 311 build-out, tenant eligibility and records relocation ahead of office moves
Summary
County staff briefed the Commissioners Court on finish‑out needs for the 311 Constitution Building and on a records relocation to LTRG; commissioners asked staff to refine estimates, consider bond‑eligibility limits for tenant space and prioritize moves needed to free other county properties.
County staff presented options for the remaining build‑out of the 311 Constitution Building, a plan to relocate county records to the LTRG Second Floor and the sequencing needed to free space for other county offices.
Why it matters: the 311 building is the intended relocation site for elections, the auditor and treasurer offices and other county functions; choices about what to finish now versus later affect whether local bond funds or general‑fund dollars will be required and affect the timing of other moves such as expansion of the central appraisal district (VCAD).
Bond eligibility and tenant concerns John (staff member) reminded the court that tenant space can affect CO eligibility. Commissioners noted attorney guidance and the county attorney’s office had advised caution: because 311 will include private tenants in parts of the building, some uses may not be bond‑eligible. The judge observed that the AG’s office may take a dim view of bond funding for a building with private tenants. Staff said certain basic tenant build‑outs necessary to house county offices (elections, auditor, treasurer) will be done, but extensive speculative tenant finishes would be deferred unless funding sources are identified.
Records relocation and sequencing Kelly (Director of Maintenance) updated the court on the countywide records relocation project to the Second Floor of the LTRG space. Fire‑sprinkler, fire‑alarm and electrical work are in progress; staff discussed a possible Iron Mountain engagement to assist with secure transfer of archived records and said new secure cages and associated finish work could add roughly $100,000 to the relocation cost. John said staff will refine that number.
Design, funding and timing considerations Staff and commissioners discussed whether to commission shovel‑ready design documents for the 311 build‑out now or wait; staff cautioned design fees would consume funds now while construction would likely be scheduled later, creating a risk that future code changes could require design updates. Staff recommended obtaining refined design and MEP cost estimates before committing to large construction draws from fund balance.
Ending The court instructed staff to prioritize tenant build‑outs necessary to move elections and other offices while deferring speculative tenant finishes; staff will return with refined design estimates and clarified bond eligibility.
