Public commenter opposes possible new justice center, questions secrecy and cost estimates

During the public‑comment period at the Jan. 13 Van Zandt County Commissioner’s Court meeting, Ronnie Jones spoke about agenda items related to potential courthouse or justice‑center planning and expressed opposition to spending county money for land, leases or construction without broader public disclosure.

Jones said he had learned about a $60,000 hold on a building and that he had heard widely varying cost estimates for a new justice center, including figures “from a $148,000,000 to $250,000,000.” He urged the court to disclose plans before incurring further expense and questioned the need for a new jail if existing facilities were meeting state standards.

Direct quotes from Ronnie Jones: • “If the purpose is to build a new justice center, I am against it.” • “If the people are involved in that prior to y’all discussing buying something for that purpose … then I’m against it.”

Jones also asked for clarity about what happened to previously uncommitted county reserves and urged commissioners to keep citizens informed; he said he was not categorically opposed to an investment if the public had been properly informed but objected to perceived secrecy.

Why it matters: public comments signaled local concern about transparency, long‑range capital planning and the scale of potential courthouse or jail projects. Commissioners did not take action during public comment; the meeting later moved to executive session on a separate contract negotiation.