County committee recommends downtown connector to new courthouse; council agrees to continue study amid funding uncertainty

County staff and a committee that studied the judicial complex presented options to the council, recommending a new building connected to the existing downtown courthouse as the most cost‑effective solution. The committee’s estimate for the downtown connector option was about $32 million; a separate option to locate the facility adjacent to the jail was estimated near $40 million.

Why it matters: The committee concluded the current superior court building has structural and security concerns and that probation, community corrections and other court offices lack adequate space or accessibility. Council and commissioners discussed long‑term security, operational efficiency and funding approaches that would affect property and income tax planning.

Findings…