County approves scoping amendment for judicial center, authorizes related facility contracts

The Hamilton County commissioners approved a scoping‑agreement amendment with Envoy intended to advance design work on the Hill County Judicial Center toward a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP).

County legal staff and Steve Wood, referenced as the honorable Stephen Wood in the meeting, said the scoping amendment is required to continue progressing the project. “This scoping amendment is needed to get us closer to that Guaranteed Max price,” the county attorney said, and staff recommended approval.

The board also approved several contracts tied to county facilities. The commissioners approved an HVAC contract that had been previously awarded as a deem at an earlier meeting and was presented for signature; the presenter said the HVAC work is funded through the project budget approved by the county council.

Additionally, commissioners approved landscaping and lawn‑care contracts for downtown county properties. One contract with GKM covers grounds including the parking garage, an acquired lot near the downtown building, the judicial center and the old courthouse; the county asked GKM for pricing to add the front of the judicial building later this year. A second contract with JSD covers outlot buildings including the solar field and the health department and includes mulching, spraying and lawn care.

All of these items were approved by motion during the meeting and recorded as carried.