ODESSA- Ector County is looking to start construction on a new building but it's coming with a high price. The current Ector County Courthouse was built in 1964 and county officials said it's not in the best of shape, so a new building would be their best option.
"It's structurally obsolete. It's basically falling a part around us as we speak," Ector County Judge, Susan Redford, said.
Redford says safety is also a big problem.
"We are not a secure courthouse, we don't meet security standards by any means. We have inmates walking down the middle of the hallway when you may have a family sitting, they're waiting to go into court for an adoption. I mean how dangerous is that?" Redford said.
But a new and improved courthouse would come with a hefty price tag.
"The price tag that they have come up with would be $95 million dollars which would require a bond election," Redford said.
Come the November elections if voters approve, taxpayers wallets will be effected.
"So for your average homeowner that would be between $50 to $53 dollars a year extra that they would have to pay," Redford said.
The county said that they are looking at this as an investment.
"We want a courthouse that is going to be here for many years and be the heart and soul of the community," Redford said.
