Clay County commissioners approve modified courtroom security plan funded by judicial grant

Clay County commissioners voted to approve a modified courtroom security plan on a motion and second after a committee presentation that described a less-intrusive alternative to an earlier, costlier redesign.

The project covers Courtroom A and the north side of the courthouse and was presented to the board as a revised approach that would preserve historic woodwork while improving security and accessibility. The board was told the modified plan should remain within the grant amount previously approved by the South Dakota judicial grant program.

The courtroom security committee — which the presenter said includes Judge Burns, Kim Allison, Jessica Posey and Andy Howe — proposed extending an interior corridor and installing controlled doors so inmates can be brought into the courtroom without moving through public seating. The committee’s presenter described moving the jury box and judge’s bench as disruptive and costly in the county’s 1912 courthouse and suggested enlarging circulation instead: “It’s a lot…