Van Zandt County court engages Jackson Walker as bond counsel; financial-adviser choice delayed

Van Zandt County Commissioners heard presentations from two financial-adviser firms and voted to engage law firm Jackson Walker as bond counsel, adopting a 60-day reimbursement lookback, during a county commissioners court meeting. The court did not select a financial adviser and scheduled further review and a decision at a regular meeting on Jan. 13.

The court approved the resolution to hire Jackson Walker and enact a 60-day lookback for reimbursement of pre-election expenses by voice vote. County officials said the lookback would allow expenses incurred before the formal bond issuance — for example, architect or escrow costs tied to a project — to be reimbursed from bond proceeds if voters approve financing.

Nut graf: The presentations and vote move Van Zandt County closer to formal financing for a jail and possible courthouse improvements. Presenters outlined financing instruments (general-obligation bonds, certificates of obligation, tax notes), timing for a credit rating and market-sell options, and tradeoffs between…