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Judge requests secure chambers; commissioners discuss grants and renovations
Summary
A judicial officer proposed reconfiguring county office space to create secure judge chambers and a public-facing clerk counter; commissioners discussed court-security and underfunded grant options and asked staff to seek cost estimates from a local architect.
A judicial officer appeared before the board to request reconfiguration of existing county office space so judges could access courtrooms without passing through public areas and to provide a public-facing clerk counter.
The judge outlined safety and logistical concerns: limited private access to restrooms during trials, mixing of jurors, victims and defendants in public circulation paths, and the need for secure judge chambers adjacent to the courtroom. Commissioners discussed two potential funding avenues: the court‑security grant (which requires an in‑person presentation) and an underfunded program with a Sept. 30 application deadline that currently has approximately $3 million available statewide, according to meeting comments. Commissioners asked staff to contact a local architect (Brad) to obtain cost estimates and to draft a brief narrative for grants; the judge offered to participate in any in‑person presentation required by grant rules.
No construction contract was authorized at the meeting; the board directed staff to pursue cost estimates and, if appropriate, prepare grant applications and presentations for the county’s consideration.
