El Rito Media The future of the Eddy County Courthouse could be determined later this year after a $350,000 study was funded by the Board of County Commissioners.

The study approved July 16, would assess technical analysis, renovation options/renderings and construction cost estimates, read a memo written by Eddy County Public Works Director Jason Burns to commissioners.

He said the County coordinated with multiple firms to study the various needs and assets of the courthouse.

Earlier this year, Eddy County administrators proposed moving courthouse operations, the Eddy County Detention Center (ECDC) and the administration building to a property south of the community near the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office on Corrales Road.

The proposed complex had an estimated cost of $350 million with the courthouse costing around $128 million, county officials noted. Moving the courthouse from its current location in downtown Carlsbad had strong opposition from county residents during two April town hall meetings in Carlsbad and Artesia.

May 7, commissioners approved movement of the administration building and jail to the Corrales Road property. The Commission directed administration during that meeting to conduct the study.

“It’s going to include information regarding the courthouse, adjacent to the courthouse and what’s going to affect what the commission is considering,” Burns said during the July 16 meeting.

The new courthouse would house district, magistrate, and the City of Carlsbad’s municipal court along with the Eddy County DWI program at the Eddy County Detention Center Alternative Sentencing Unit (ASU).

“We’re going to have this done ready to roll out in October, with hopefully bringing to the commission for direction in November,” Burns said.

He said the studies would give commissioners additional details on the courthouse and its potential fate.

The current courthouse was built nearly 90 years ago and housed various county functions over the decades, according to the Eddy County website.

“I think we’re getting close to the end of the year for all this stuff and just to be moving along. We need to take some action on that courthouse one way or another, while this commission is still sitting,” said District 3 Commissioner Fred Beard.

In 2025, Eddy County welcomes two new commissioners as Philip Troost replaces Fred Beard, who decided not to seek a second term. Hayley Klein replaces District 2 Commissioner Jon Henry; he could not run again due to term limits.

Sarah Cordova, James “Bo” Bowen and Ernie Carlson are the returning commissioners in 2025.

Commissioners approve firm for new administration building Burns said Parkhill, Smith and Cooper Inc. should start design and engineering work for the new administration building within the next 30 days.

The architecture firm has offices in Albuquerque, Texas and Oklahoma, noted its website. Burns said Parkhill, Smith and Cooper’s New Mexico team would manage the work.

Eddy County estimated a cost for the new administration building at $54 million.

While architectural plans moved forward for the new administration complex, plans for a new ECDC are preliminary, said Warden Billy Massingill.

A timeline for drawings and plans had not been determined, he said.

Estimated costs for the new jail are $135 million, according to county proposals.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or via email at msmith@currentargus.com.