Commissioners vote for option of three-story annex building
By DAVID LOWE Staff Writer

The Lampasas County Commissioners Court on Monday voted to spend $72,000 to strengthen the second story roof of the county annex addition to allow for a future third floor.

Cost to construct a new two-story annex next to the existing Lampasas County Office Building will total $3.67 million, according to architect estimates. That price includes about $500,000 in contingencies for the owner, contractor and construction manager at risk, County Auditor Jack Clark said.

Constructing a new county office building with a third-floor shell and an elevator reaching the third floor would cost $4.4 million, Clark said.

"I can tell you right now that that's out of our price range," he said.

Precinct 1 Commissioner Robert Vincent said the extra spending to strengthen the second-floor roof, however, is a good investment that will allow upward expansion later if necessary.

"I think we need to take action now while it's cheaper so that future commissioners courts will have that option," Vincent said.

Clark said some citizens have criticized county officials for not building the county jail and existing courthouse annex to hold additional floors.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack B. Cox, the only member of the court to vote against spending the $72,000 to support a future third floor, said adding a third story would force county employees out of their offices during construction.

"I just don't see how it will work," he said. "I think it will disrupt the entire second floor."

Cox said he also objects to the extra spending.

"Seventy-two thousand doesn't sound like a whole lot when compared to [$3.67 million], but $80,000 here and $80,000 there, and after awhile it adds up," the commissioner said.

Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize Clark to request proposals for demolition of the former Brooks building, where the new annex will be located. The auditor said he must allow sealed bids because demolition will cost more than $25,000.

The court also voted unanimously for a canopy that will stretch the full length of the front of the new annex building. The west and north sides of the addition will have a dark-green brick facade.

In another item, the Commissioners Court tabled a request for a replat of two lots in the Lampasas River Place subdivision on Farm-to-Market Road 2313 near Kempner.

Commissioners also voted unanimously to reappoint County Fire Marshal Gene Harrison for a two- year term.

In addition, the court discussed a recommendation from the Secretary of State's office that the county appoint at least one bilingual election worker in all precincts where 5 percent or more of the residents have Spanish surnames.

Seven of the county's 10 precincts meet that standard, and 11 people have indicated interest in serving as bilingual election clerks, Elections Administrator Dorothy Person said.

Commissioners also unanimously approved 10 Republican and 10 Democratic election judges. Republican judges are Raymond Upp, Precinct 1; Marcia Wallace, Precinct 2; Bruce Crawford, Precinct 3; Diana McDonald, Precinct 4; Betty Fontaine, Precinct 5; Zane Harry, Precinct 6; Misty Maldonado, Precinct 7; T.P. Wingo, Precinct 8; Vicki McLean, Precinct 9; Elke White, Precinct 10; and Debra Farish, central counting station judge.

Democratic judges are Carol Nunez, Precinct 1; Jane Tooker, Precinct 2; Victoria Melder, Precinct 3; Glenda Dale Funk, Precinct 4; Amelia Fields, Precinct 5; Barbara Burkes, Precinct 6; Jacklyn Duncan, Precinct 7; Susan Burns, Precinct 8; Warren Spivey Sr., Precinct 9; Nadine Powell, Precinct 10; and Becky Hudson, central counting station judge.