Bastrop County commissioners recently unanimously donated the former county tax office property on Fawcett Street and two lots, which has sat vacant for over a year in Smithville, to the city for government use.

The property is appraised at $150,000 according to Pct. 2 County Commissioner Clara Beckett, who represents Smithville.

The county moved its services to its new annex building on Loop 230 in October.

With maintenance costs ongoing and no use to the county, Beckett spearheaded the effort to donate the building to Smithville. She said with future growth, that location would be important to the city.

"Over the years, the city has housed our county veteran’s office and they housed our justice of the peace," Beckett said. "This makes sense."

The only stipulation by the county is that the city has to use the property for government purposes only or the property reverts back to county ownership. The city may not sell the property.

According to the contract, the city and county agreed that any governmental use that benefits the residents of Smithville will benefit the public interest of the county.

The city had initially planned to move its municipal court to the property, but with too many juveniles going before Judge Ron Jones, officials determined extensive renovations would be needed with the building’s current layout and small courtroom. City Manager Robert Tamble said the city doesn’t have the funds for the needed improvements.

For now, the city plans to move the county veteran’s services to the building, which has been using the City Council Chamber.

Officials say a possibility in the future may include moving the fire station or library, which has run out of space, into the property. If the fire station moved, that would create a block of space for a new library across from Veterans Park. Officials would first need to secure funding for both projects.

"The thing is everyone who pays taxes in Smithville pays county taxes, too, so they helped purchase the building," Beckett said. "That was my sell to the county. We weren’t going to make the city pay for it again."

Tamble said the city appreciates the property donation and it demonstrates the continued collaboration and cooperation between the two local governments.

"Special thanks to Clara Beckett and the Commissioners Court for their ongoing support," he said.

The county’s new annex building in Smithville is located at 1624 NE Loop 230 and provides Tax Office services as well as office space for the Precinct 2 commissioner and justice of the peace.