Study group and architects urge voters to approve up to $62.5 million for new Cleburne public‑safety facility

City staff and a volunteer study group recommended that Cleburne voters consider a bond to fund a combined public‑safety facility, saying the current police, fire and court buildings are outdated and undersized.

Architect James Beers of Hafer Welker showed council a proposed site of roughly nine acres and a main facility of about 62,310 square feet with a separate 9,950‑square‑foot asset support building. Beers told council the design includes separate public and secured circulation, an emergency operations center, dispatch, evidence processing, and secure parking for staff. He said the project team’s third‑party cost estimate for the core building was $53,600,000 and that “after allowances and contingencies the bond package reached $62,500,000.” James Beers (Hafer Welker) presented the estimate and explained the components that drive the total.

Volunteer members of the Cleburne Public Safety Facility Study Group described their five meetings, facility tours and design input. Albert Archer, a study‑group member, said the group prioritized durability, security and future capacity and recommended pursuing public funding. “We recommend the city seek public funding up to the stated amount of $62,500,000,” Archer said.

Council and staff outlined the next steps: council will consider calling a bond election at the Aug. 11 meeting; if approved for a November election and accepted by voters, the city would proceed with design development and procurement with construction aiming to follow in 2027. Council emphasized plans for public transparency, town halls and materials for voters ahead of any ballot measure.