{span data-preserver-spaces=”true”}Construction workers prepare to place the last of 504 prefabricated pieces on top of the Smith County parking garage. Commissioners learned Tuesday that it will be completed this November. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph){/span}

The Smith County Commissioners Court was updated Wednesday that construction delays of the parking garage mean downtown patrons will be walking a bit further until November.

Originally slated to open in October, the project’s completion date has been pushed back to Nov. 10 due to unforeseen weather, utility line delays and other unspecified issues.

“They’re making great progress,” County Judge Neal Franklin said.

Stephen Flournoy, project executive at Hoar Construction, said crews are working hard to finish the project as soon as possible and might even complete it before the November deadline. Once they get the certificate of occupancy —confirming that the elevators are operational and the structure is inspected and certified — people will be able to start parking there.

Once completed, the parking garage will have more than 540 spaces, two elevators, utility rooms, storage, and IT closets. The parking spaces will serve Smith County employees, jurors and members of the public visiting downtown.

The $19 million garage is part of a voter-approved bond project associated with the new county courthouse which broke ground earlier this month. The garage is located in the parking lot next to the Smith County Annex Building, at 200 E. Ferguson St., and across the street from the future site of the new courthouse.

During construction, meters around the annex, along Ferguson and Spring, have been bagged for free visitor parking. Jurors are asked to park at the Fair Plaza Parking Garage, at 208 S. College Ave., which is free.

For more than two decades, numerous studies have been conducted to assess the needs of the courthouse and the judiciary, and offer suggestions on possible solutions. Each study showed a new courthouse and associated parking structure were needed to accommodate the county’s growth along with logistic and security needs of the county’s judicial system.

Planning workshops, presentations, community meetings, and a citizen input survey preceded the bond, which was called in August 2022 and approved Nov. 8, 2022 with 53.73% of the vote. Ballots showed 40,120 people voted for the issuance of $160 million in bonds for the new courthouse and $19 million for the associated parking structure. There were 34,552 people who voted against the bond.

Additionally at its Tuesday meeting, the court heard a review of county risk management procedure suggesting a new full-time position might be in the cards.

Insight reveals that multiple individuals across various departments are managing Risk Management duties, even though the tasks do not align with their job descriptions. Although there is some communication between departments on Risk Management, it is not as efficient as it could be.

It was recommended to consolidate all Risk Management functions into a single position.

The complexity and volume of the tasks involved suggest that a consultant or part-time role would be inadequate. Establishing a full-time Risk Management position will enable current employees to focus on their roles and enhance the efficiency of Risk Management tasks.

The commissioners court took no action on the matter, as it was an informational item only.

After a 35-year career in criminal justice, Jon Johnson, Smith County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace, announced his retirement effective Sept. 30.

Prospective candidates interested in the position must contact Human Resources by September 5 for consideration. The commissioners court will discuss filling the role in an executive session on Sept. 10, with interviews scheduled for Sept. 17.

Smith County is disposing of surplus IT equipment that has outlived its useful life. Mustard Seed Ministries will handle the collection and data removal from the items. The surplus includes 178 desktops, 110 laptops, 12 printers, three switches, five servers, seven scanners and 70 monitors.

“Mustard Seed can repurpose these computers to help individuals throughout Smith County and the surrounding area get access to much needed computer programs and training. They also provide computers to children in local schools,” assistant district attorney Thomas Wilson said.

The county accepted the East Texas Auto Theft Task Force 2025 Catalytic Converter Grant.

Entities eligible for grants from the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) can receive financial support to aid law enforcement agencies in combating automobile theft. This grant program helps jurisdictions address and prevent catalytic converter thefts by funding economic automobile theft enforcement teams.

The MVCPA awarded $26,667 for the East Texas Auto Theft Task Force 2025 Catalytic Converter Grant, with a cash match of $5,333, bringing the total to $32,000.

The county accepted another MVCPA grant, with total expenditures of $512,387. This includes $426,986 in MVCPA expenditures and $85,401 in cash match expenditures. Additionally, there is an in-kind match of $153,315.

Smith County provides facilities and multiple vehicles for the East Texas Auto Theft Task Force.

In other business:

The commissioners approved a recommendation from insurance providers to limit the coverage for preventative breast pumps under the Smith County Health Plan to $300. If the cost exceeds this amount, individuals will be responsible for paying the difference.

Constable Josh Joplin updated the commissioners on an unexpected issue with his fleet: a car had caught fire. This vehicle was not one Joplin requested for purchase during the budget workshop on Aug. 6. As a result, contingency funds will need to be used to replace the damaged vehicle.

However, this situation does not address the other vehicles Joplin had identified as needing replacement during the workshop. Joplin proposed using unencumbered ARPA funds and extra grant money to buy a new vehicle. With ARPA funding deadlines approaching, he argued that it makes more sense to invest in a new vehicle now instead of continuing to maintain an old one.

Kimberly Fuller was honored for a decade of service to Smith County, while Amber Meza was acknowledged for five years with the Adult Probation Department. Additionally, Jeffery Hobson from the Sheriff’s Office celebrated 15 years of service, and Larry Swinford reached the 10-year milestone. Devin Hurst, Donna Lee, and Chance Swift were recognized for five years of service.