New probation building to begin construction soon

The rain on Friday stopped just in time for Johnson County leaders and officials to hold the ceremonial groundbreaking for the countys new adult probation building.

The new building will cost about $4.6 million and will relocate the adult probation departments employees primarily into one location.

Officials have said the building is long overdue and when completed, it will create a more efficient adult probation department thats divided into three buildings, Adult Probation Director Toby Ross said.

Ross said hes waited a long time for the county to finally approve the building, but he said he knows theres still more work to be done.

Weve waited for this for years, but its not over, yet, he said.

About 80 people showed up for the groundbreaking, including each county commissioner, state Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, Cleburne Mayor Justin Hewlett, county commissioner candidates and several probation office employees.

Im happy about the progress and what weve been able to do, said 413th District Judge William Bosworth, who helped lead the charge for the new building as the countys administrative judge.

Bosworths role as administrative judge allowed him to be a liaison between the county and its department, making sure everything ran smoothly.

The probation building has needed more room for a long time, Bosworth said.

One of the probation offices in downtown Cleburne has been overcrowded for a few years, Johnson County Judge Roger Harmon said.

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New probation building to begin construction soon