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Fiscal Court approves MOU to pursue new judicial center; county to participate in state-backed financing
Summary
The Boyle County Fiscal Court voted to authorize a memorandum of understanding with the Administrative Office of the Courts to advance a proposed new judicial center included in the judiciary biennial budget; the project would use state‑backed bonds and require a county financing agreement, the AOC said.
The Boyle County Fiscal Court on Jan. 13 authorized a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to pursue a proposed new judicial center project that the AOC has included in the judiciary branch budget.
Danny Rhodes, executive officer with the Department of Court Facilities, told the court the MOU is required before the general assembly will authorize funding and described the project’s governance and financing. "Once the MOU is signed, the county will give authorization to the project development board," Rhodes said, explaining that a PDB would oversee site selection, procurement, design and construction. He described the financing as a state‑backed bond paid directly to bondholders, and said operation and maintenance costs would be paid and then reimbursed quarterly to the county.
Rhodes and other AOC presenters said the bond structure is typically issued over a minimum of 20 years (sometimes 25) and that AOC would bring financial advisers and bond counsel to support the county. The court discussed whether existing public properties or a public properties corporation could be used as the bond holder; the AOC said bond counsel would review those options.
Magistrates emphasized the project’s urgency because of ongoing courthouse roof issues and the potential need to temporarily relocate court operations during construction. One magistrate called the development "a big deal, long overdue" for the county and moved that the court sign the MOU; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
The judge asked the AOC to email a copy of the MOU for signature and the court agreed to provide local advocacy and support during the upcoming legislative budget cycle. AOC officials said they had no negative feedback on the project in budget subcommittee hearings and encouraged local officials to demonstrate support to the legislative judiciary committee.
