Now, when Liberty County public works crews start to work on a vehicle, they don’t have to worry about the elements.

County officials cut the ribbon on the new public works facility Friday, and it’s already in use. Crews moved in from their old building back in February.

“It is the responsibility of the commissioners to support our staff and provide them with the necessary tools for their jobs and provide them with a decent work place,” Chairman Donald Lovette said. “To our public works team, on behalf of the Liberty County Board of Commissioners, I say thank you — thank you for maintaining and manicuring our beloved Liberty County all the way from Gum Branch to Sunbury.”

The new structure is 18,000 square feet and was built through special purpose local option sales tax proceeds at just over $6 million. It has six bays and replaces a building that was 50x125 and was known to spring a leak in the roof.

“It was over 40 something years old. It was past due,” Commissioner Marion Stevens said. “The old building had holes in the roof. It was shameful to have employees working in conditions like that.”

Public works director Clenton Wells joked he didn’t know if he would be around long enough to see it happen, but added he is thankful for the space afforded to his crews to do their jobs.

“We have been working on this for about six to eight years,” he said. “It’s well-deserved. I’m glad to be a part of it and I thank the commissioners.”

With the new building, it also brings the mosquito control under the same roof.

The building was designed by McCall and Associates and built by Pope Construction.