Commissioners court authorizes eminent domain for East Wilco Highway right of way

Williamson County Commissioners Court voted unanimously March 24 to authorize the use of eminent domain to acquire land and utility easements needed for the East Wilco Highway project in Hutto.

Commissioner Bowles moved for a record vote, reciting that the court should "authorize the use of the power of eminent domain to acquire 119.7 acres needed as right of way and 3.599 acres needed as utility easement located in Hutto, Texas," and naming multiple parcels and owners during the motion. The court then took a precinct-by-precinct roll call and recorded unanimous approval (all precincts and the judge voted yes).

The readout given on the record listed owners and parcel acreages the court authorized the acquisition from; the motion language named individual trusts and limited-liability companies along with specific acreage amounts. Commissioner Bowles said the authorization is required to obtain right of way and utility easements for construction of the proposed roadway and related improvements to East Wilco Highway.

The court’s action authorizes county staff and counsel to proceed under the county’s statutory eminent-domain authority toward acquisition for right of way and utility easements; the recorded vote creates an administrative record of the court’s direction. Commissioners did not discuss compensation amounts for individual parcels during the public meeting. Further steps — appraisals, offers to property owners and any subsequent condemnation proceedings — will follow the county’s legal process and state statute requirements.

The court approved the action on a recorded vote; the judge announced that the agenda item passed after reading the statement and recording precinct votes.