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Funding comes through for new court building |
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Tuesday, 11 November 2008 |
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By Mike Gervais
Register Staff
11-8-2008 Inyo County Superior Court Judge Dean Stout is looking to the future and a construction project that will add a state-of-the-art court facility in Independence.
The Inyo County Board of Supervisors discussed the court facility project in August, but decided to hold off on any action on the construction until the results of Senate Bill 1407 were known.
SB 1407 is a source of funds that could be used for courthouse improvements.
Judge Stout, on Tuesday, addressed the board with an update on SB 1407 and a status report on the county’s courthouse construction fund.
According to Stout, SB 1407 was passed and enacted in September and will provide $5 billion in lease revenue bonds that can be used for construction and/or improvements on court facilities.
The Judicial Court of California added the proposed Independence Court Facility to its capitol outlay project as a “critical need,” making it eligible for the SB 1407 funds.
In addition to the SB 1407 funds, Inyo County has approximately $18 million in its courthouse construction funds. That account is fed through Inyo County court fines and generates between $140,000 and 150,000 a year.
“We’re fortunate to have real estate available,” said Stout, noting that the land Inyo County holds that could be used for the court facility project could have been the reason it was one of 41 projects selected for SB 1407 funding.
Stout said the vacant lot on the south side of the historic Independence courthouse on U.S. 395, or a lot near the Inyo County Jail on Clay Street could be used for the new courthouse.
Though many have long had their sights set on building the facility on the property near the current courthouse, Stout said that other opportunities may arise to have a more functional facility located adjacent to the jail.
“The land available at the jail presents some opportunities,” Stout said. “We could possibly physically connect the jail and the court,” which would save money in the Sheriff’s Department because deputies won’t be transporting prisoners to and from court appearances.
“We could use the lot on Main Street, but the lot on Main Street may have some other economic opportunities or other uses,” Stout said.
Before the county can use the SB 1407 funds, however, it must draft a conceptual plan for the money that will be reviewed, and hopefully approved, by the Administrative Office of the Court within the next three years.
The county must also draft a Memorandum of Understanding between the administrative office of the court, the county and the state that will outline the terms of use for the money.
“When we can break ground is unknown at this point, but by 2010 or 2011 the funds should be allocated,” said Stout. “We’re going to require some patience here, but hopefully soon we’ll have a state-of-the-art court facility in Independence.”
Stout said when the new court facility is completed, the county would continue using the historic courtroom that is currently in use, but on a more limited scale.
Stout also said that with the allocation of SB 1407 money, the county may be able to use some of the money from the courthouse construction fund for much needed improvements at the Bishop court facility.
“I’m thrilled, I think this is great news,” Stout said.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 25 November 2008 )
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