The Donley County Commissioners’ Court formally accepted a state grant to restore the courthouse Tuesday morning.
The court approved a resolution in a called meeting authorizing Judge Jack Hall to execute the advance funding agreement to facilitate the county’s participation in the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program.
The court also unanimously approved granting a preservation easement on the courthouse to the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The easement would prevent the county from making substantial changes to the appearance of the building for 50 years unless approved by the THC.
Jerry Woodard, president of the local Herring National Bank, addressed the court to discuss options for financing the courthouse project. Woodard was complimentary of the court’s efforts.
“I would like to commend the Commissioners’ Court and Judge Hall for the work they’ve done in getting this grant,” he said. “It is going to be a benefit to our community.”
The court took no action on financing, but Judge Hall said the county would like to do as much of the financing as possible locally.
John Kiehl, regional services director of the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, reviewed the proposed architectural services agreement submitted by Volz & Associates, Inc., with the court.
No action was taken on the agreement, and the matter will be discussed further in another called meeting of the court this Friday. Financing options will also be discussed.
Last month the state awarded the county a $2.9 million grant to completely restore the 1890 Courthouse. The county must match 15 percent of those funds.
The THC is administering the grant program and reportedly is pushing for the courthouse projects around the state to get underway as soon as possible.
“THC wants to have something tangible to show the Legislature when it asks for more money to fund other projects next year,” Kiehl said at Tuesday’s meeting.
Guidelines put in place by the THC call for the county to have its plan in place for financing the matching funds as well as having approved an agreement with an architect by June 12, 2000.
The next regular meeting of the Commissioners’ Court will be Monday morning.
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