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County engineer reports progress, delays on Justice Center and ARPA-funded projects
Summary
County Engineer John Hernandez told commissioners the Justice Center project is about 48% complete and ARPA-funded projects including fiber optics, generators, juvenile detention expansion and an animal shelter are at various stages; some items face delays tied to electrical and septic-system issues.
John Hernandez, county engineer, updated the court on construction and ARPA-funded capital projects.
Justice Center and schedule Hernandez said the most recent construction payout for the Justice Center was approximately $3.4 million and the project stood at about 48% complete. He identified second-floor electrical and plumbing work as critical-path items for the coming month and said commissioning should begin in March or April with project closeout planned for late spring or early summer.
ARPA-funded projects and status details - Fiber-optic project: Contractor FSG Telecom; about 58% complete. Hernandez said the project requires two railroad crossings and the county was finalizing Union Pacific Railroad permissions for underground boring. - Precinct 1 generator: Contractor Dawson Electric Company; about 90% complete with retainage remaining and final testing pending. - Civic Center generator: Contractor DC Energy; about 21% complete with the concrete pad in place. - Juvenile detention extension: Contractor Beck Brothers; roughly 40–43% complete. Progress was slowed by an electrical-panel tie-in issue the engineer said the project team is addressing. - Animal shelter: Contractor Beck Brothers; about 23% complete. Work slowed due to septic-system concerns involving human- and animal-waste design; the county and engineer are coordinating with TCEQ and engineers to finalize designs.
Hernandez emphasized coordination across engineering, grant teams and contractors, and noted retainage will be held until punch-list items are corrected. Commissioners asked about site appearance and irrigation damage; Hernandez said those items would be added to the punch list prior to final acceptance.
Why it matters: These projects represent significant capital spending and service investments for the county, affecting public safety, emergency operations and animal services. Electrical and septic-system issues can delay completion and increase oversight needs.
Next steps: The county will continue to track critical-path items and document punch-list and retainage issues until contractors complete repairs and systems testing.
