County set to discuss new courthouse possibilities
May 13—County commissioners will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the County Annex and will take the first step toward a new Ector County Courthouse.
Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett said Monday the commissioner's court has a vision for a bright future for Ector County and that includes a positive investment to build a courthouse to take Ector County through the next seven decades.
"I believe we can make the case and take it voters in November 2025," Fawcett said.
On Tuesday commissioners are slated to discuss a new courthouse design build services and a request for qualifications and specifications and master services agreement for the building of a new Ector County Courthouse.
Fawcett said the goal is to find a design team to work with who will attend public meetings with the commissioners court to answer questions from the public about the project.
"We have learned from our past mistakes...we want no excuses and everyone on this team will help us with town halls and be able to answer all the questions," Fawcett said. "We stand a tremendous change at getting this bond passed by talking about the benefits and ways to become more efficient and more public service oriented while also saving taxpayers time whether that be at the vehicle registration or passport or whatever."
Fawcett said commissioners will also discuss an elevator upgrade for the current courthouse as sometimes all three elevators are down at one time. He said a county employee was stuck about an hour and a half about a week ago in one of the courthouse elevators. The upgrade could cost up to $1 million. He said there were hopes the county could survive without the costly outlay for the old elevators but said it is a safety issue and the elevators must be repaired.
Fawcett said there have been conversations with city officials about the possibility to partner on a complete municipal plaza rather than just a county courthouse. "It would be great for the public for us to explore that."
He hopes to make the case to voters for a bond to finance the courthouse.
The county agenda includes:
>>Will hear public comment on non-agenda related items.
>>Will discuss the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget schedule and priorities.
>>Will discuss Lisa Fondren's position as new intoxilyzer supervisor following David Legg's retirement.
>>Will discuss an order adopting a property tax exemption for qualifying childcare facilities.
Fawcett said this follows legislation that passed last session giving a tax break to childcare facilities that qualify. He said Ector County has about 30 plus that qualify.
>>Will discuss Gus Ortega reappointment to the Board of Trustee of PermiaCare.
>>Will discuss the Wheeler Road speed limit.
>>Will discuss donating bars and other hardware from the old jail at the courthouse to Odessa College.
Fawcett said this donation is part of a jailer pathway program debuting at Odessa College. He said the jailer shortage led to conversations and now OC will have summer classes to help those interested in becoming a jailer with basic county corrections classes. The donated items will be used for a mock setup of a jail.
>>Will discuss an extension of contract with Rene Bates Auctioneers.
>>Will discuss a caliche roads bid from Permian Paving.
>>Will consider upgrade of the courthouse elevator.
>>Will discuss a courthouse fence project.
>>Will discuss an inmate housing agreement with Winkler County.
>>Will discuss a personnel request for an airport manager at Schlemeyer Field.
Fawcett said the county previously contracted an airport management firm and that the current firm's contract will be up in November. He said he has "huge"concerns about creating a whole new county department and added most counties are not typically in the airport business. He did say that county airports are good for economic development.
