Commissioners approve new bank account, loan steps for $10M courthouse rehabilitation; officials say taxpayers won't face higher rate

The County of Star Commissioners Court on Aug. 11 approved creating a separate bank account for the county's 2025 courthouse rehabilitation project and approved a small loan from the general fund to open that account.

The presiding judge said the county requested a $10 million loan for the matching portion of the courthouse project and that the county received approximately "2 and a half million" in grant funds from Congressman Cuellar (as stated in the meeting). The judge said the county sought a credit rating to obtain a better interest rate and that officials chose to proceed locally after delays in a proposed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loan process increased costs because of rising material prices.

"This does not mean that taxpayers are gonna have to pay a single penny more," the judge said, adding that the project will be funded from monies already earmarked and that the county's tax rate will remain the same. A commissioner asked that the county publicize the loan, grant, and how the money will be used; the judge and a county official agreed to post details on social media and provide straightforward explanations of the financing.

The court moved and seconded separate items to approve the new bank account for courthouse rehabilitation and to request a $100 loan from the general fund to open that account; both motions carried. No final loan closing, repayment schedule, or timeline for rehabilitation was presented at the meeting.

Officials said the county previously considered a USDA grant‑loan combination but delayed federal action meant that potential savings had been eroded by inflation and higher materials costs, prompting local action to ensure timely rehabilitation.