Collin County approves emergency water-extraction contract after courthouse flooding

Collin County Commissioners on an emergency vote approved a contract, not to exceed $150,000, with Carpetek for water extraction and remediation after heavy rains caused flooding in the county courthouse.

County officials said the work is needed to keep county offices open while crews remove standing water, dry affected areas and repair damaged building systems. County staff said Carpetek was on site and expected to begin extraction and drying work the evening of the meeting.

The contract was awarded under a BuyBoard contract (identified in the meeting as contract 670-523) and was presented as an emergency purchase because the flooding threatened the courthouse’s continued operation. Administrative staff told the court they will evaluate insurance coverage first and, if necessary, draw from the county risk fund and building maintenance accounts to pay for remediation.

Facilities and administrative staff briefed the court that internal roof drains appear to have been clogged, allowing water to accumulate on the roof. That pressure reportedly caused a drain pipe to fail near the purchasing office, sending water from the third floor down to the second floor and causing water intrusion into offices and, separately, a small leak in the ceremonial courtroom that required courtroom swapping so a trial could continue.

County staff praised employees and facilities crews for rapid response, saying staffers used wet-dry vacs and other equipment to limit damage before the remediation contractor arrived. Facilities staff said the standing water on parts of the roof may have reached two to three feet before a drain failed; the court record reflects employees moved materials and assisted with initial cleanup.

The court voted 5-0 to approve the emergency contract. The county judge called for a motion; a commissioner moved to approve the contract as presented, a second was recorded, and the motion carried unanimously.