Court considers allowing family-violence shelter to continue using unused courthouse annex space

Wilson County commissioners discussed a request from the Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter, Inc. to continue using unused classroom space in the Wilson County Courthouse Annex at 1103 Fourth Street. Staff said the shelter has used the space since 2019 but that the county has not had a formal contract with the organization for that occupancy.

A commissioner moved to allow the shelter to continue to occupy the unused space and asked staff to formalize terms. The presenter explained the county historically provided utilities and related services and that the shelter would continue to provide services out of the annex if the court approved the arrangement. "They have been using this since ... 2019," the presenter said.

The transcript records a motion to permit continued use; the excerpt does not include a roll-call vote or the final motion result in the provided text. Commissioners and staff discussed drafting or updating an agreement or memorandum of understanding to clarify services and county support if the court approves continued occupancy.

Staff asked for direction about next steps on a contract; the court asked staff to prepare any required paperwork to memorialize the arrangement. No final contract language or fiscal terms are recorded in the excerpt.