GEORGETOWN — The Williamson County Commissioners Court got an inside look at the county’s future $90 million headquarters.
Dale Butler, the county’s senior director of facilities management, presented design plans to commissioners for the new administration building during their Tuesday, March 19 meeting.
A handful of county departments are set to move from the historic Williamson County courthouse to the space located off Southwestern Boulevard in Georgetown.
“It’s an expensive building, but moving forward, it’s going to be more efficient,” said Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles, who represents Taylor. “We’re going to be able to service people more and it’s just something we’re going to need as we keep moving forward.”
The funding for the facility will be coming from the tax anticipation notes issued in 2021, according to Yvonne Ramirez, a communications specialist for the county.
County Judge Bill Gravell said a groundbreaking ceremony for the headquarters project will take place Tuesday, May 14, after the commissioners meet. Construction is also scheduled to begin by May 1.
According to Gravell, county workers should be set to occupy the space no later than Dec. 1, 2025.
“I have pressed our team really hard on timeline,” Gravell said. “I want the product done right, but I want it done swiftly because delay costs us tens of thousands of dollars per week.”
Butler’s layout revealed that the building will have three stories, each housing different county departments.
The first floor is planned to have the tax assessor’s and county clerk’s offices. The second floor would have the Commissioner’s Courtroom, as well as the auditing, purchasing and treasurer’s offices.
The top floor would have the County Judge’s space and house the legal, budget and public affairs departments.
The office space will be built with demountable walls on multiple floors.
Demountable walls is a concept where offices can physically change their layout to accommodate needs.
“The goal is more flexibility in the future as staffing needs change, or you decide you don’t need an office here or there,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long said. “It’s not like ripping walls. You don’t get to bring your sledgehammers.”
In addition, the tax office will get a drive-through with three lanes and employees and visitors will have a walking trail on site under the plans.
The headquarters will be built on the same campus as a few other county buildings or projects. The presented map shows the facility ultimately will be neighbored by the Georgetown Annex, Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, Emergency Service Center, Child Advocacy Center and the Juvenile Justice Center.
