Round Top Resident Urges Tight Deed Restrictions for Courthouse

A resident from Round Top addressed the Fayette County Commissioners Court last week about the Round Top Precinct Courthouse.

“I wanted to thank you guys for paying attention to the courthouse situation,” said Louis Sellers of Round Top. He spoke during the public comment period of last Thursday’s meeting Several Round Top citizens petitioned the County a month ago to seek a historical designation for the building. The issue came up in response to concerns about the Town of Round Top’s renovation plans for the town square. At the time, Mayor Judith Vincent said the courthouse may need to be rebuilt, depending on the results of a structural analysis.

“Living in Round Top, I think my position on the courthouse is very common with all of my neighbors, from Rutersville to Carmine,” Sellers told the Commissioners Court. “They want to see the courthouse protected.”

After the issue came up a month ago, County leaders learned about some errors in the 1984 deed that purported to transfer ownership of the building from the County to the Town of Round Top. Two weeks ago the Commissioners instructed the County Attorney’s office to develop a new deed for the property with some restrictions to protect the courthouse.

“I know you guys are developing a deed for that courthouse with some of those protections in it,” Sellers said. “Thank you for doing that. And I must say, also in Round Top, we have an atmosphere right now of some of the people in Round Top who are really good at attempting to follow the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law.

“So I would just encourage you, encourage the County Attorney, to do the best job you possibly can on it, because I would hate to see anybody wiggle around the intentions you have at the courthouse,” Sellers added. “And that is a widespread feeling. I haven’t taken a poll, but everywhere I go, whether its the Rifle Hall, The Mercantile or to Orsak’s in Fayetteville. Everyone seems to have the same idea.”

The Round Top Town Council was set to meet Monday morning to discuss and possibly take action on several items related to the courthouse. Here are the four items listed on the special meeting agenda:

• Discussion with town attorney about Fayette County’s ownership claim of the Round Top Courthouse (Town Hall). This agenda item will be discussed in an executive (closed) session authorized by Texas Government Code Sec. 551.071 to consult privately with the town’s attorney to seek advice of the attorney about contemplated litigation or a settlement offer.

• Discussion with town attorney about legal action against the town seeking declaratory relief and request for temporary restraining order and temporary and permanent injunctive relief petitioned for by Erik Diers and Rose Diers in 155th Judicial District Court of Fayette County. This agenda item will be discussed in an executive (closed) session authorized by Texas Government Code Sec. 551.071 to consult privately with the town’s attorney to seek advice of the attorney about litigation or settlement offer.

• Discussion and action regarding Fayette County’s tentative proposal to resolve ownership of the Round Top Courthouse (Town Hall).

• Consideration and action to adopt Resolution No. 2025-240 establishing policy regarding use of the Town Square during Designated Events granted temporary specific use permits.

Look for more on that meeting in Friday’s paper.