Relocation Proposed for Smith County Offices

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County commissioners on Monday approved funding a cost-benefit analysis to identify which current county facilities could house four offices slated for relocation. At Monday’s meeting, the court approved limited expeditures of $5,000 for the study by architects and urban planners last week that would identify the best available option for the county to move its election office, adult probation and Precinct 1 constable and justice of the peace.

The court has discussed several versions of relocation plans for three offices that remain in the Smith County Office Building, which is the former Carlton Hotel. For the past three years, the court has initiated and planned projects to exit the building, which it says has become a money pit.