By JIM HARDIN
CNHI
Rockwall County —
Rockwall County commissioners soon will decide whether a modular building is the temporary solution to easing overcrowding in the Rockwall County Government Center.
The building at 1101 Ridge Road is operating at capacity, but more office space will be needed in November when the new 439th District Court opens.
According to discussion at a Tuesday workshop meeting of commissioners, offices for the judge, court coordinator and court reporter will be needed.
The temporary building would be needed until the new courthouse opens next year.
Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper did not attend the workshop meeting.
Assistant District Attorney Brian Williams said the county could lease a modular building for 13 months for about $16,000. The building would be set up on the east side of the building, according to Williams.
Commissioner Dennis Bailey kicked off the government center space issue.
“I endorse the efforts of the district attorney in going out and making some arrangements to bring in a facility at the government center, offloading some of their personnel out of that building, and I want to be sure that whatever is done internally to accommodate a new district judge will be as minimal as possible...” Bailey said.
Commissioner Lorie Grinnan agreed with Bailey.
Commissioner David Magness said officials need to “nail down some costs” as soon as possible. He also recommended taking most of the expense out of the county’s current budget.
Another decision involves where the new court will be located.
There’s a vacant auxiliary courtroom on the government center’s first floor. There has been discussion involving moving County Court at Law from the second floor to the auxiliary courtroom.
Giving the new court the second floor courtroom would put both district courts and the district clerk on the same floor.
Among other business, commissioners voted during a special meeting to proceed with plans to improve Hightower Lane and assess property owners for the improvements.
An election involving property owners was held recently.
Chief Deputy County Clerk Lea Carlson reported that the vote was 8-0 in favor of the improvement and assessment plan.
Carlson said ballots were mailed to 16 property owners and three were returned unclaimed. One ballot was not signed by the legal property owner. Only eight votes were cast.
Commissioner David Magness said the road, which is in his precinct, is in “pretty pitiful shape.”
“I don’t think a fire truck or ambulance could get down that road in bad weather,” Magness said.
Hightower Lane is a street in the Firewheel subdivision south of Interstate 30, just outside the Fate city limits.
According to information provided at an April meeting of county commissioners, the road would be brought up to standards and cost about $60,800.
