Commissioners advance justice center and separate jail toward November 2025 ballot

The Parker County Commissioners Court voted to advance a budget plan to submit a justice center proposal to voters and to pursue a separately sited jail, carrying an initial motion 3–2.

Charlie Kearns, a presenter retained to gather committee feedback, told the court the consistent findings from stakeholder meetings were that a new courthouse and a jail are needed, that county‑owned “Poor Farm” property could be used, and that the committee should explore ways to reduce total project cost. "The main thing was... this project, a courthouse and a jail, is needed in Parker County," Kearns said.

Court members debated whether to lock a site now or let the court determine the final location. One commissioner moved that the court “work towards approving a budget to go to vote for a justice center” with the site to be determined by the court and the separate jail placed on the Poor Farm; a second was recorded and the motion carried by a 3–2 vote, the chair announced.

The court also directed staff and the consultant to produce additional design and cost detail in advance of the next regular session. A consultant estimated about $400,000 would be needed to produce schematic‑level design detail for adding the jail to the committee’s scope. "If you're looking at the total picture, it would probably be $400,000 or so to get a schematic design level detail," the consultant said.

The court scheduled follow‑up work and asked the committee to bring firm cost estimates and recommended membership changes (including the sheriff) to the next regular meeting on May 12, 2025. The chair announced the meeting was adjourned at 10:12 a.m.