Tazewell County board debates scale of proposed Justice Center annex, takes no formal vote

Tazewell County board members on an agenda item about a proposed Justice Center annex reviewed project history, updated cost estimates and several options for the building’s third floor but did not take a formal vote.

County board member Crawford, a former auditor, opened debate by urging caution about spending from the county general fund and saying, “you need to protect the revenue … the county general fund … it is stretched.”

The discussion centered on two design options developed over several years: option F3 (a two‑story build, previously estimated about $37,000,000) and option F4 (a three‑story design with shelled space for three additional courtrooms, previously estimated at $44,000,000). Caleb, a county staff member presenting the timeline, summarized the project’s growth: “What began as a $25,000,000 idea has grown to now an estimated $44,000,000 with additional cost for the finishing…