Montco to weigh mental health unit, court funding

**Montgomery County Commissioners to Address Mental Health Facility, Judicial Center Budget on Nov. 28**

**CONROE, TX – November 21, 2023** – The Montgomery County Commissioners Court is set to tackle two pivotal infrastructure projects impacting public health and justice services during its meeting on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Commissioners will convene at 9:30 a.m. at the Alan B. Sadler Commissioners Court Building in Conroe to deliberate on plans for a new mental health facility and address escalating costs for the Judicial Center and Courthouse project.

**Mental Health Crisis Unit Proposal Gains Momentum**

A key item on the upcoming agenda is a proposed interlocal agreement with the Montgomery County Hospital District (MCHD) to advance plans for a 24/7 mental health crisis stabilization unit. This facility is envisioned as a critical resource to provide immediate support for individuals experiencing mental health emergencies, aiming to divert them from overburdened emergency rooms and the county jail system.

The proposed unit, with an estimated capacity of 24-30 beds, would be located in Conroe on MCHD-owned land near FM 2854 and Loop 336 West. This strategic location is intended to ensure accessibility for county residents in crisis. Preliminary cost estimates for the facility range between $12 million and $14 million.

Officials are exploring various funding avenues for the project, including allocations from federal opioid settlement funds, the county’s general fund, and potential grants. If the interlocal agreement and subsequent plans are approved, construction could commence as early as mid-2024, addressing a long-identified need for enhanced mental health services in the rapidly growing county. The collaboration with MCHD highlights a coordinated effort to improve community health outcomes.

**Judicial Center Faces Budgetary Hurdles Amid Rising Costs**

Commissioners will also receive a critical update on the new Judicial Center and Courthouse project, a significant undertaking approved by voters nearly a decade ago. In 2015, Montgomery County residents authorized an $80 million bond to construct the new facility in downtown Conroe, designed to house both county and district courts along with their associated offices.

The project is currently in its design phase, but officials are increasingly concerned about the impact of rising construction costs. Economic shifts and inflationary pressures in the years since the bond approval have significantly driven up material and labor expenses, threatening to push the project well over its allocated $80 million budget.

The upcoming discussion will focus on these cost implications, which may necessitate a comprehensive re-evaluation of the building’s design. Commissioners are expected to deliberate on potential strategies, which could include scaling back certain aspects of the facility or exploring alternative design solutions to ensure the project remains financially viable while still meeting the county’s growing judicial needs. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial for the future of the county’s court infrastructure.

The public is invited to attend the meeting at the Alan B. Sadler Commissioners Court Building, located at 501 N Thompson St, Conroe, TX 77301. Agendas and supporting documents for the meeting can typically be found on the Montgomery County website in the days leading up to the session.