Crawford County drops Judicial Center office remodel after judge declines assigned space

The Crawford County Commission said Tuesday it has removed a planned office remodel at the county Judicial Center after a judge declined a dedicated office, saving the county remodeling costs.

Commissioners were told Chief Judge Deloy and Judge Fleming informed them Fleming "has decided that she does not need an office" and asked only to "continue to have access to the building as needed for meetings and things like that," according to remarks to the commission. Commissioners said they have taken the project "off the books."

The change was described as a cost-saving measure because remodeling law library space had been proposed to provide the office. Commissioner Jim told colleagues the judge "does not need an office," and that the county would continue to provide access when needed. Commissioner Jim also said the judges expressed interest in a future work session to discuss longer-term plans for the Judicial Center.

Commissioners discussed the judicial appointment process for a new judge and noted that judicial vacancies are handled through a nominating commission for the 11th judicial district; that commission forwards three names to the governor for final appointment. The commission did not take a separate formal vote to restore or reallocate funds at the meeting; the remodel project was described as removed in the commissioner's report and will be revisited in future planning discussions.

The commission did not provide a timeline for any further action on the Judicial Center's use or capital planning; commissioners said they expect to schedule a work session to discuss the building's future.