County aims to fund work with reserve, financing

Courthouse plan goes for final OK

BENTONVILLE — The county plans to use money from reserve and financing to build a courthouse expansion.

Benton County’s Committee of the Whole on Tuesday night voted to use $1.55 million from reserve and to finance $1.55 million. The item will move to the Quorum Court on June 25 for approval.

The county has $13 million in reserve based on its budget, said Brenda Guenther, comptroller.

The cost is projected at $3.1 million, which would include $231,783 to repair the courthouse annex where Circuit Judge Brad Karren holds court, according to documents. The annex is across the street from the main courthouse.

A larger court expansion is no longer an option because of the financial hit expected from the covid-19 pandemic, County Judge Barry Moehring said.

Shirley Sandlin, District 8 justice of the peace, said Wednesday the 50-50 proposal and a small courthouse expansion was the best option at this time.

Sandlin was a proponent of a new, larger courts facility, but residents voted it down last year.

“At this point in time, this is the best we could hope for,” said Sandlin, who has been on the court since 2008. “If push comes to shove, we won’t have to back up and start over.”

A new courtroom is needed for Christine Horwart, who was elected in March and will be the county’s seventh circuit judge. She takes office Jan. 1. The Arkansas Legislature added the judgeship to assist with the increasing caseload.

Three circuit judges — Xollie Duncan, Robin Green and John Scott — are housed in the courthouse. Circuit

Judge Doug Schrantz’s court is in a county building on Main Street, and Circuit Judge Tom Smith’s office is at the Juvenile Justice Center on Melissa Drive near the jail.

The expansion would add 5,500 square feet to the courthouse. The courthouse is 28,080 square feet, said Bryan Beeson, facilities administrator. Green’s courtroom is 1,813 square feet, Duncan’s court is 1,035 square feet and Scott’s courtroom is 1,188 square feet.

Under Moehring’s plan,

the county would demolish the one-story section behind the courthouse once housing the coroner’s office. The county would build a two-story addition on the site with a lobby area and restrooms on the first floor. Horwart’s courtroom and office area would be on the second floor.

Construction could take nine months after demolition is finished, Moehring said.

First-floor plans show the existing entrance becoming an exit only. A new canopy would provide coverage during inclement weather. An entrance with a vestibule and a new security station with two metal detectors also would be added. Plans also show a large waiting area.

Second-floor plans show a new elevator and restrooms with a lobby connecting to the new courtroom and the

courthouse second-floor corridor. Horwart’s courtroom would be about 1,300 square feet with a jury box. A small bailiff’s office will be at the southeast corner of the courtroom.

The building would be compatible with proposed expansions, according to documents.

“Benton County is not going to shrivel up and disappear,” Sandlin said. “I’ve seen a lot of growth in Benton County over the last 30 years.”

Until the work is completed, Horwart’s first courtroom and chamber would be in a small area in the courthouse last used as a courtroom in 2012. The room doesn’t have a jury box and has a small gallery, Moehring said.

Mike Jones may be reached by email at mjones@nwadg.com.