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Morrow County votes 2–1 to pursue circuit court annex on county-owned Boardman property
Summary
After public comment urging retention of the historic courthouse in Heffner, the Morrow County Board of Commissioners voted 2–1 to direct staff to pursue a circuit court annex in Boardman on the county-owned Columbia & Olson parcel while keeping courthouse functions in Heffner.
The Morrow County Board of Commissioners voted 2–1 to direct staff to pursue a circuit court annex on county-owned property in Boardman while retaining the historic courthouse in Heffner.
Staff and design consultants presented options including the fairgrounds site, a county-owned parcel at Columbia and Olson in Boardman, and other Boardman parcels. Consultants described siting criteria—central civic location, visibility, adjacency to amenities—estimated early exploration costs and a schedule that would include geotechnical and environmental reviews (roughly three months) and schematic design work.
Public commenters urged keeping the circuit court in Heffner. Don Doherty, representing the Wilkerson Valley Economic Development Group and the city of Hebron, told the board his group had submitted a letter asking the board to retain the circuit court in Heffner to protect local jobs and economic activity. Terry Gentry, a Heffner resident, said the courthouse contributes to community viability and local events.
In discussion commissioners weighed trade-offs. One commissioner argued that a Boardman annex would better serve the county’s caseload because most cases originate in the northern ZIP codes and said locating services where users are improves access. Staff noted the state judiciary is a separate entity but said the state indicated previously assigned funds for a courthouse site could be redirected to a Boardman annex.
Commissioner Waddell moved to pursue the county-owned Columbia & Olson parcel in Boardman for a circuit court annex, clarifying the motion was for an annex facility rather than a full courthouse relocation. The motion was seconded and, after discussion, passed by voice vote 2–1.
Staff said next steps include negotiating site specifics, validating any existing geotechnical reports, and returning with costs and a timeline for additional site work and schematic design. The board did not approve land purchases or construction funding in this meeting; those would require future action.
