Callahan County Commissioners Court received an update Tuesday on the courthouse renovation and annex project, including delivery of a second generator, completion of much interior fit-out and continuing problems with drainage and the elevator phone connection.

The facilities committee told the court the project has moved quickly in recent weeks: drywall, framing and carpet tile installation are largely complete, historic furniture has been delivered and permanent electrical power has been activated, which the committee said was a necessary step before elevator inspection.

“The district courtroom is starting to look really nice,” the facilities committee member said. “Everything that we unwrapped and installed looks really nice.”

The update identified several remaining items. A cornerstone arrived but was two inches too long and stamped with “2024”; the vendor will return the stone for on-site sanding and rework rather than full replacement, the committee said. The committee also said the county is deciding whether the elevator’s cellular service will be provisioned directly by the county or managed through the elevator vendor; a SIM card and activation remain outstanding.

“The last I heard…is that it’s just a matter of getting a SIM card,” the facilities committee member said.

Officials said a second large generator intended to serve the annex and the jail was delivered to the mechanical yard and that the county is using a rental generator at the jail until installation is completed. The committee said permanent power activation was the “big hurdle” that had delayed final inspections.

Commissioners also raised persistent drainage problems on the courthouse’s north side. The committee said crews are pumping water out of a catchment area after storms and that at times the pump or its power source has been an issue. The north-side hose runs out onto the new driveway and down the adjacent street when crews pump.

“I always think I’m gonna fall in and nobody’s gonna know I’m in there,” the facilities committee member said of the north-side holding tank, adding that staff continue to monitor and pump the facility after rains.

The committee reported some dialog with the historic preservation commission about restoring the district courtroom floor and said a few remaining punch-list items remain before final closeout.

No formal action was taken; the court received the update and scheduled continued oversight through the facilities committee and upcoming site meetings.