Liberty County court authorizes notice to seek certificates of obligation for new jail; approves related reimbursements and studies
Loading...
Summary
The commissioners court voted to publish notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation to fund a proposed new Liberty County jail, approved reimbursement of current architectural costs from future CO proceeds, and authorized a $5,800 archaeological study and $185,209.49 HVAC work for the existing jail.
The Liberty County Commissioners Court on Jan. 27 approved publication of a notice of intent to issue certificates of obligation as the initial step toward financing a proposed new county jail. Judge presided as bond counsel and staff explained the $110 million authorization figure is a maximum authorization recommended by the countys bond advisors and does not mean the county will immediately issue that full amount.
"Not that anybody's anticipating that, but if you come back and there's some overages and it comes up to be a 103,000,000, then you have gotta go through the whole process again and issue it," a bond advisor told the court while explaining why the bond people recommended a $110,000,000 authorization. The court voted to proceed with the publication step.
The court also approved a resolution to reimburse the general fund for architectural, site, study and engineering fees already expended on the jail project from the proceeds of the CO issuance when they are issued. County staff said the reimbursement ensures current architect invoices will be returned to the general fund at closing.
Separately, commissioners approved a $5,800 archaeological background study for the new jail site from Robert Kisner, a step staff described as recommended by the architect to avoid construction delays if remains are found during grading. The court carried that motion by voice vote.
The court additionally approved an $185,209.49 proposal from Gordian (with FH) to upgrade the HVAC system in the east wing of the existing Liberty County Jail as part of ongoing reconditioning efforts; Gordian representatives said roof-level smoke-exhaust fans and full roof scope will be handled as a separate phase.
What happens next: publication of a CO notice allows the county to give public notice and proceed with the financing process; final issuance and exact amounts will depend on later bond-market steps and the courts subsequent decisions.
