A Decade in the Making: Webb County Officials Address Sheriff's Office Delay

A Long-Awaited Project Finally Takes Shape

After years of planning, financial challenges, and construction delays, Webb County officials are hopeful that the new administrative building for the Sheriff’s Office will be ready to open by October 2025. This long-anticipated project has been a topic of public interest since its inception, with many residents eager to see the transformation of an old structure into a modern facility.

The project began in 2018 when Webb County purchased a 48,000-square-foot building on Farragut Street in downtown Laredo for approximately $4 million. Originally built in 1946, the building had served as office space and even housed a grocery store at one point. County leaders saw potential in the property and began envisioning it as a future headquarters for the Sheriff’s Office.

Timeline of Delays and Progress

In 2019, county commissioners officially designated the building as the new headquarters for the Webb County Sheriff’s Office. With $4.4 million in bond money secured, officials expected a relatively smooth process. However, the project quickly became more complicated than anticipated.

Guillermo Cuellar, Interim Director of Engineering for Webb County, explained that multiple agencies were involved in the renovation process, especially during the pandemic. “It’s not something that happens quickly. It takes time. They value-engineered the project, and they go out for bids for a contractor,” Cuellar said.

By 2021, officials realized the renovation would cost more than originally planned. Cost-saving measures were explored, including changes to plumbing, electrical systems, and ceiling heights. However, the county eventually approved a $6.7 million construction contract.

At a press conference, county leaders promised the building would be completed within 300 days, calling it a state-of-the-art facility essential for public safety and border security. But progress stalled again.

“All of that took a couple of years. Not until 2022 did they actually start working on the building itself,” Cuellar said.

Setbacks and Challenges

Documents obtained by KGNS revealed several setbacks, including roof leaks that caused water damage to furniture and electrical systems. Supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to lengthy delays.

Cuellar noted that there were delays with the generator due to the pandemic, which took about two years before the equipment was delivered. When asked if the cost-saving measures ended up being less effective than hoped, Webb County Commissioner for Precinct 1 Jesse Gonzalez responded, “No, no, no, of course not.”

Gonzalez added, “The roof is the biggest one that we didn’t anticipate finding out about. When we removed the roof material, we saw a hole, a random big hole where the water was coming in. Since JJ Construction Roofing Company completed the project, we’ve had numerous days of rain and no issues at all.”

Final Stages of Completion

Cuellar said the building is now mostly complete, with only the Emergency Operations Center and parking lot patchwork left unfinished. “Hopefully by this October it should be complete, and the sheriff should have a new building to work from,” Cuellar said.

Gonzalez emphasized that the county has been careful with taxpayer funds despite the delays. “By no means are we mishandling taxpayer monies,” he said. “By no means are we spending money we are not supposed to.”

So far, the county has spent over $10 million on the renovation, with an additional $1 million earmarked for the Emergency Operations Center. The project has involved various agreements and change orders, including structural, electrical, and security upgrades.

As the final stages of the project near completion, the new Sheriff’s Office building is expected to serve as a vital asset for public safety and community services in Webb County.