Freestone County Commissioners met for a quick meeting on Monday, Oct. 6, where they took no action on a majority of agenda items. The court had planned to select a bid for the Freestone County Historical Courthouse Restoration, but learned from County Judge Lloyd Lane that additional grant funding is needed and can be requested.
“I had called and requested an additional 4 million dollars because the bids came in so much higher than the original grant amount, and the response was we have to fill out a request for additional funding that has to be turned in by December the first,” Lane said. “They will meet on January 31 so it will be at that time that we know if we get additional funding. By that time, the bids that we received will be expired, so we will have to do publication and go out for bids again. It will probably push us into the middle of April (2026) before anything can start. The plan is to submit the request for additional funding and see what happens.”
Pct. 1 Commissioner Andy Bonner brought up the $45,500 abatement allowance, stating the courthouse was inspected in 1995 and 2010, but Lane chimed in that only the third floor was inspected in 2010. He suggested doing the asbestos and lead study/inspection in house, ahead of/separate from the project re-bid; it was so moved and approved.
