Freestone County Commissioners Court spent an extended portion of its meeting debating whether and how to provide public restroom access at the county tax office, balancing accessibility with staff safety and protection of confidential records.

Tax office representatives and several commissioners discussed options that ranged from building a separate public restroom and installing new doors and keypads to using an escorted-access procedure. Concerns raised included protecting cash-handling areas, safeguarding DMV and other confidential records kept in nonpublic work areas, and the potential for disgruntled visitors to access secure areas.

One commissioner described current measures used in other county offices — having front-door entry, escorting visitors to the restroom and back, and using panic buttons when necessary. Another suggested installing a door in an east-side hallway to allow controlled access while preventing visitors from passing behind cash registers. The judge’s office and tax office staff were consulted during the discussion; a county official referenced prior conversations with a person named Dan about possible configurations.

A commissioner motioned that when a member of the public requests restroom access, an employee should escort the person to the restroom and ensure they exit without accessing records or restricted areas. The motion was presented as a trial approach; the mover said the court could revisit the issue and adopt a different solution if problems arise. The transcript records the motion being made, but it does not include a roll-call vote tally in the excerpt.

Meeting participants also discussed other approaches suggested by county counsel or building officials: requiring medical documentation for emergency access, installing keypads on doors, or creating a distinct public restroom. Several participants emphasized treating members of the public consistently to avoid allegations of unfair treatment. Some staff noted that other county offices keep back-area restrooms open to the public with escorting procedures in place and use panic-button security when needed.

The court directed staff to try the escorted-access approach for restroom requests and to report back if it proves unworkable, or to return with proposals for a permanent physical modification (new door/keypad or a dedicated public restroom).