The construction of a new, $30 million San Benito County
Courthouse is still in limbo as local officials await a state bond
sale that will provide the money necessary for the project.
The construction of a new, $30 million San Benito County Courthouse is still in limbo as local officials await a state bond sale that will provide the money necessary for the project.
The good news, according to Gil Solorio, executive officer of the local superior court, is that the San Benito courthouse is one of two projects included in the next planned bond sale.
“We are one of the first out of the gate,” he said. “The bond sale releases money that is already approved. It’s an administrative step.”
The bond sale is tentatively scheduled for October, though that is not set in stone as previous sales have been delayed due to poor economic conditions that have affected the bond market.
Though a firm construction timeline won’t be established until the bond sale occurs, an October sale could mean courthouse construction would begin in the spring of 2012, though Solorio conceded that it’s “pure speculation.”
The original bond sale to finance the project was scheduled for late 2010.
The delay, Solorio said, hasn’t caused any significant impacts to the scope of the project, for which a two-story, three-courtroom courthouse housed in 41,500 square feet will be constructed on Fourth Street between Monterey and West streets.
“It’s frustrating, but we feel fortunate that the project is still near the front of the line,” he said.
There are not major concerns about the potential for increased costs with more time added.
“However, our ability to continue providing this level of public service will depend on our ability to manage the depth and volatility of the ongoing economic downturn,” he said.
The state’s judicial branch received a $350 million budget cut and lawmakers redirected another $310 million from court surcharges and filing fees that were supposed to help pay for 40 new courthouses.
The San Benito court’s allocation for this fiscal year was reduced by approximately $235,000, though Solorio said no layoffs have been necessary.
“We are concerned because the next fiscal year is looking to be another reduction of equal if not a greater amount,” he said. “It’s in the court’s interest to maintain the current level of service. We are concerned not only about next year, but mid-year (this year),” when some budget forecasters are saying state revenue shortfalls could force more cuts.
