Columbia County Unveils Annex

Left: The Columbia County Courthouse annex is housed in a renovated elementary school building. Top: A plaque at the entrance recognizes Judge Larry Atkinson, the quorum court, architects and contractors. Each county official has a similar plaque with their names outside their door.

Columbia County unveils new courthouse annex

Early this year, Columbia County Assessor Sandra Cawyer, Collector Rachel Waller, and Treasurer Selena Blair moved into a new courthouse annex just a short distance from the historic courthouse.

The county held an open house on May 19. The event drew about 100 people throughout the day.

County Clerk Tammy Wiltz will move into the annex soon.

The annex is housed in a former elementary school that was renovated to fit each official’s needs. For instance, when they were housed in the courthouse, Assessor Cawyer’s office was upstairs while her staff worked downstairs. Now, the entire staff works in the same area.

Each of the officials report their new space is larger and more accommodating than their former space in the courthouse. In addition, the building is outfitted with surveillance cameras that broadcast hallway activity to each office. In case of emergency, each office also features a secondary exit.

The annex sits near the Road Department, on about 15 acres of land, which Treasurer Blair said would be ideal for expanding the building in the future.

County Judge Larry Atkinson has kept his office in the courthouse on the square in downtown Magnolia.

Top Right: Columbia County Clerk Selena Blair’s office features many windows, a book room, plenty of storage and more. Middle Right: Each of the staff members in County Assessor Sandra Cawyer’s office have plenty of room to work. Bottom Right: In addition to a spacious office, County Collector Rachel Waller’s space includes bullet-proof windows for interaction with the public.