Callahan County OKs $130,230 Furniture Purchase for Restored Courthouse

Callahan County Commissioners Court approved a furniture purchase from O'Kelly's Furniture totaling $130,230.23 on Aug. 11 to outfit the county’s restored courthouse and annex. County staff said the order covers judges’ courtroom chairs, commissioners’ chairs, attorneys’ chairs in courtrooms, conference-room chairs (high- and low-back upholstered), employee desk chairs, break-room seating and two specialty chairs for officers who wear duty belts. “This is budgeted for, we have a furniture line item that will cover this,” Sandra, county staff, said. Why it matters: The purchase completes part of the courthouse restoration project’s outfitting phase and will place seating in courtrooms, conference rooms and staff areas. Staff said the quote is on a TIPS contract, so a separate bid was not required. Earlier a custom chair from another vendor (Prism System) proved uncomfortable and not cheaper, so staff pursued the current quote. Commissioner Farmer moved to approve the purchase; Commissioner McGowan seconded the motion and the four commissioners present voted to approve. The courthouse restoration update at the same meeting noted landscaping, exterior lighting and interior finishes were near completion; lamp-post power and planting were reported finished and van entry/vendor assessments of vault doors were pending. Ending: Delivery and installation timelines were not specified at the meeting; staff did not provide a delivery date in the Aug. 11 discussion.