Smith County commissioners call for November bond election to fund proposed courthouse

Published 10:27 am Tuesday, August 9, 2022

By Zak Wellerman, CBS19

Plans for a proposed new Smith County Courthouse are seen in April at the State of the County Address at Green Acres Baptist Church. Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran announced he wants a bond measure that would fund a new courthouse on the November ballot. On Tuesday, commissioners approved the measure.

Smith County commissioners voted Tuesday morning to put a $179 million bond for a new courthouse and parking garage on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran called for bond, which was then approved through the commissioners’ approval in a 4 to 1 vote. Pct. 3 Commissioner Terry Phillips was the lone opposition.

During an Aug. 1 input meeting for citizens, Moran said the main purpose of having a new courthouse is space for safety and security. The current courthouse was built in 1955 with plans to hold two courtrooms, but it now holds seven.

Read more from our news partners at CBS19.



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