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County, senator and state courts dispute the scope of $2 million courthouse appropriation; parties agree to scoping study
Summary
Sen. Suzanne Weber told Columbia County commissioners the $2 million legislative appropriation for courthouse renovation was intended broadly; Oregon Judicial Department officials said the funds were allocated to OJD’s courthouse improvement program and should directly benefit courts. Commissioners agreed to commission Hart Architects to scope two renovation options so costs can be compared before a month-end decision.
Sen. Suzanne Weber urged Columbia County commissioners on Feb. 4 to move quickly to use a $2 million state appropriation for courthouse renovation, saying legislative counsel found the appropriation language broad and not limited exclusively to circuit-court-only projects. "The appropriation language is clear and broad," Weber said, adding the funding was intended to support flexible courthouse improvements that serve justice, county operations and historic preservation.
Representatives of the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) disagreed on the allowable uses. Kimberly McCullough, senior counsel for government relations at OJD, told the board the money was placed in OJD’s courthouse improvement program and that agency policy is to spend such funds for the “direct benefit of the court.” McCullough said OJD does not view…
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