Heath's Public Works and Parks & Recreation staff are working from a new address after completing their move into the Heath Services Center at 1284 FM 740.

The move ends more than 20 years in an aging building on the same city-owned property. That old structure had deteriorated enough that employees had to relocate to a temporary facility while the new center was built, according to the city's project page.

The Services Center now houses office space, storage, training areas and the city's SCADA system, the technology that controls Heath's water system. The city said the building gives employees the space they need when responding to emergencies and around-the-clock incidents, including severe weather.

Next door, a separate 13,260-square-foot Public Works Facility is in its final construction stages. Freeman-Millican, Inc. designed the building in 2024. JC Commercial won the construction contract, and work began in March 2025 at a total project cost of about $5.1 million: $410,000 for professional services and $4,728,232 for construction.

The money comes from certificates of obligation (CO) bonds the Heath City Council issued in 2023 as part of a $30.5 million bond package. That package also funds a new Department of Public Safety station and the renovation of Towne Center Park. A funding partnership between the Heath Municipal Benefits Corporation (HMBC) and the city means the projects carry no tax-rate increase, according to the city.

The facility has hit delays along the way. Public Works Director Bryan Creed told the council at its March 24 meeting the project was pushed to a May 2026 completion. By the June 23 meeting, Creed said the building was expected to be finished by the end of July.

As of the council's Aug. 25 meeting, exterior walls, the roof and interior rough electrical were complete. Work was underway on garage doors, epoxy coatings in equipment bays, interior painting, HVAC installation, ceiling tiles and sod. JC Commercial had begun compiling closeout documents. No updated completion date was stated.

The council also unanimously approved an Oncor easement for electrical services to the facility at its April 14 meeting.

The department will soon have new leadership in the building. City Manager Steven Alexander introduced Preston Jones as Heath's new Public Works director at the Sept. 8 council meeting. Jones, who brings more than 11 years of municipal experience, previously served as assistant director of public works for the City of Princeton, where he supported a team of 58 employees.

"Public Works is foundational to Heath's future," Jones said in a Sept. 17 city welcome announcement. "My focus is to strengthen our water and wastewater infrastructure, responsibly plan for growth and ensure that we are good stewards of our resources."

At the June 23 meeting, Mayor Jeremiah McClure signaled the facility's completion would open a broader conversation, saying that once the Public Works Facility opens, "we need to address plans for City Hall." Heath City Council agendas and meeting schedules are posted at heathtx.com.