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07/18/2006: "CC Struggles With Courthouse Space Needs"

(Law and Justice Council members study revised remodel plans)

The County Council met with elected officials on Tuesday to continue the discussion of how best to meet the meeting room and office space needs of the county. The plan is to remodel the Carlson Building, and the old Courthouse to meet county needs. As the discussion progresses as to how space should be configured, and to whom it should be assigned, it is becoming increasingly clear that the problem boils down to the needs of the Council to provide office space for the full council and their support staff, and the pressing needs of the county law and justice departments.

At the last meeting the need to keep law and justice functions under one roof became the goal of the council; but how to do that, while keeping remodel costs down is becoming difficult. In a letter submitted to the Council, Law and Justice members and other county officials stated that they "believe it is time to start the process of converting the Courthouse Building to its eventual use as the Law and Justice Center". Judge Stewart Andrew also submitted a letter stressing the need to keep all of the Court's office space, and courtroom, in the same building, and view was forcefully reinforced by Superior Court Judge Churchill, who told the Council that it was important to keep not only the courtroom and administration offices together, but that the Law library also needed to be in the same building. She stressed the need for quick access and security concerns for the desire to keep the various space needs in one building.

The general consensus from those involved with Law and Justice seemed best summed up by a closing comment in the submitted letter, that recommended that it was time to" move (the) Council chambers offices to the Carlson (or some other building) We recognize the move would be ‘temporary' until a new administrative center is build, however the remodel and operational dollars would be better conserved under this option. Additionally operational efficiencies in the Courthouse would be enhanced rather than be curtailed".

Councilman Myhr express his concern that the County is facing budget constraints in the future, and that he "wants to minimize cost in the short time, in case we need to build a new building sooner than later". To which Chairman Lichter stated that he agreed that "We need to find a balance of costs and efficiencies". The Council agreed to continue to work toward a solution, and Judge Andrew stated the he hoped the Council would consult with the Law & Justice Council prior to making any final decision. (Links to Past Stories)