Van Zandt County authorizes judge to apply for Texas Historical Commission courthouse restoration grant

Van Zandt County commissioners on Jan. 1 authorized the county judge to apply for a Texas Historical Commission courthouse preservation and restoration grant in the 2026 funding round.

The court voted to allow the judge to proceed after staff explained the commission’s statewide appropriation has increased to $100 million from $49 million in the prior two‑year legislative session, improving the county’s chances of a sizable award. Because the county previously received a $430,000 planning grant, the county’s maximum request was described as roughly $9.5 million.

Judge Reese (county judge) said staff will obtain updated cost estimates before returning to the court with detailed figures and timelines; commissioners asked that the county not rely on decade‑old estimates. "I'll get a quote and get a request," the judge said, noting earlier planning documents from 2018 and 2020 remain public for information requests.

Commissioners debated whether relocation and retrofit costs for the Paul Michael building should be included in overall cost planning. Commissioner (speaker 5) urged a full accounting of what it would cost to restore the courthouse and to move operations, while others said the grant can only be used for courthouse restoration and not for unrelated moves. "The grant itself will not be used on anything but the courthouse," a commissioner said.

The court passed the motion to authorize the county judge to apply and asked staff to return with updated cost estimates; a follow‑up report and any cost quotes will be brought to the next commission meeting.

Why it matters: The county has prior planning work and could seek a multimillion‑dollar restoration award if selected; commissioners want contemporary cost estimates so the county can identify any additional local funding that may be required.