The judge stated the jail needs modernization and is overcrowded. Inmates are sometimes kept at jails in other counties while awaiting trial, at a cost per day per inmate plus the costs of additional staff and transportation of the inmates. The jail is located at 612 Jameson St, Weatherford, one-half mile east of the Parker County Courthouse.
Quisenberry noted the 43rd Judicial District Court building at 117 Fort Worth Hwy. east of the Courthouse was originally a post office and was not large enough when the courts moved there in 1989. Office area is limited and potential jurors crowd the hallways as they wait for potential selection. The proposed new building will have more offices, accommodations for jurors, and eight courtrooms.
“We have four courts in four locations, and that is not profitable,” the judge said. “The district court building basically was obsolete when we moved in.”
The judge showed photos of citizens standing on both sides of hallways and in the lobby as they await jury selection.
Locations have been considered but not announced for the possible justice center.
The council considered and approved an amendment to water impact fees for new construction in Hudson Oaks.
City administrator Sterling Naron explained the impact fees affect only new construction for water infrastructure and for wastewater infrastructure as well. Impact fees help defer the cost of new construction and are not assessed regularly or periodically. For instance, a new housing development can be charged an impact fee in alignment with how many taps are installed to the main water line, and similarly fees are applied for wastewater. Impact fees are not applied after the initial construction or improvement.
“The impact fee is only paid by the original owner,” Naron continued. “The same with wastewater impact fees. It goes to show that development is not free.”
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