Benton County Judge: Courts Study Complete

BENTONVILLE — Benton County’s courts building project is moving forward, with County Judge Bob Clinard telling the Quorum Court on Thursday the feasibility study is done.

”We agree the study has done what we wanted it to do,” Clinard said, noting a letter of acceptance from the county and downtown Bentonville interests who co-sponsored it will be included with the report.

At A Glance

Court Action

Benton County's Quorum Court met Thursday and approved:

• The third reading of an employment policy ordinance.

• The second reading of the planning and development regulation.

• The second reading of the planning fee schedule ordinance.

• An application for a federal grant for the hazard mitigation plan.

• An application for a grant on behalf of the Benton County Master Gardeners.

• Appropriating $42,415 for the Sheriff’s Office and $6,785 for the Coroner’s Office from money unspent in 2013.

• Appropriating $142,627 in grant and matching money for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

• Appropriating $13,982 in grant money for the Coroner’s Office.

• Appropriating $50,000 in pass through grant money for the Northeast Benton County Fire Department.

Source: Staff Report

“It’s comprehensive,” Clinard said. “It’s going to take a lot of discussion to decide what we’re going to do in the future.”

Clinard suggested forming an interim committee that would include some justices of the peace, representatives from Downtown Bentonville and himself. Tom Allen, justice of the peace for District 4, said he thought all of the justices of the peace should be included.

“I think we should give it some time then bring it back to the next Committee of the Whole meeting or the one after that,” Allen said. “If the Committee of the Whole wants to form a committee that would be up to that committee. Personally, I don’t think anyone wants to be left out of this.”

Susan Anglin, justice of the peace for District 9, said she wanted the courts project to wait until the county has settled its ambulance service question.

“I really don’t want to talk about this until we have the vote on the ambulance service,” Anglin said.

The report estimates the cost of the three building options at $49.6 million to $53.6 million. The county is considering the building to house circuit courts, prosecutors, public defender and related staff.

Option A would be built on the site of the old county jail. The cost for that option is estimated at $49.6 million.

Option B would be built across from the courthouse and tower on North Second Street. That option is estimated to cost $53.6 million.

Options A and B include renovation to the old courthouse and tower costing $8.9 million and expanding the Juvenile Justice Center on Melissa Drive for $3.3 million.

Option C would be built on county land on Southwest 14th Street, near the jail, the Road Department and Public Service Building and is estimated at $49.6 million.

Among the details reviewed in the study are how each option meets needs through at 2030 and a list of potential issues, including safety; traffic congestion; parking; room for expansion and disruption of county offices during construction.

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