Courthouse restoration: irrigation, trees, HVAC commissioning reported

County facilities committee members provided an update July 28 on the courthouse restoration and annex project, reporting completed landscaping work, progress on an emergency stairwell railing and commissioning of most heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. The update came during the regular meeting of the Callahan County Commissioners Court, where Garrett, a facilities committee representative, told the court 14 trees — six live oaks and eight crape myrtles — had been planted on the north side and irrigation work was completed. Garrett said three IT racks were moved from the basement to the fourth floor and that the HVAC system had been commissioned, with one unit awaiting a replacement part that has been ordered. He added Atmos had installed gas meters at the mechanical yard for the emergency generators and that contractor Bannon was scheduled to start work on vault doors this week. The report explained the broken HVAC part was not apparent until the unit was started; Garrett said the part had been ordered and would be installed when it arrived. He also said welding work on the emergency stairwell railing is in progress. No formal votes or policy changes were taken on the facilities update during the meeting. The commissioners asked clarifying questions about tree placement and landscaping plans and accepted the informational update. Looking ahead, commissioners will continue to oversee the annex restoration as remaining items — including the final HVAC unit repair and vault door installation — proceed under the facilities committee’s supervision.