(Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

An architect will evaluate the plumbing in the Smith County Courthouse in preparation for upcoming renovations.

On Tuesday, the Commissioners Court approved spending up to $5,500 for Tyler architect Mark A. Thacker to evaluate the plumbing and recommend upgrades to restroom facilities.

The analysis will come with cost estimates for work, but commissioners emphasized they do not intend to do major repairs.

“We will update them (the bathrooms), but we are not getting into some huge remodel,” Commissioner Jeff Warr said. “We don’t know how long that Courthouse will continue to function. We want to do the minimum repairs – new dividers, fresh paint.”

Warr volunteered to be the point person for the project.

Commissioners said the information gleaned from the plumbing assessment would be helpful in the future when the county makes a long-range facilities plan.

Thacker will assess the facilities because he specializes in historic preservation and the Texas Historical Commission must approve changes to the courthouse because of its historic designation.

Approving the price for the architect was not statutorily required, but County Judge Nathaniel Moran said he wanted to make sure the court was abreast of the project’s progress.

In other business:

– Commissioners approved seeking a new contract for phlebotomy services (blood draws) in the Smith County Jail.

The blood draws will now be done by staff in the jail’s infirmary for free, but the company would charge the county an hourly rate if those nurses had to testify in court.

– Tiffany Wright was appointed to another term on the Smith County Historical Society board.

– Commissioners approved submitting a grant application on behalf of Lindale Rural Water Supply.

– Commissioners discussed approving donating a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe from Constable Andy Dunklin’s Office to the Flint-Gresham Volunteer Fire Department. All court members supported the measure, but tabled a vote to allow staff to clean up language in the donation agreement documents.

– Dr. Mark Borah, of West Tyler Veterinarian Clinic, was appointed to the Animal Shelter Advisory Board Committee.

– The court also approved a resolution drafted by the County and District Clerks Association regarding a statewide web portal, which would allow the public and attorneys access to civil and criminal records online through a third-party vendor. Four public speakers supported the resolution, which asked for clarity from the state on the program.

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