While the courthouse finally opened for business Monday, county supervisors on Tuesday agreed to accept the local court agency’s one-time contribution of $100,000 for extra security personnel needed at the new facility.
Board members have been expressing their angst in recent months over the three added bailiffs required to run the larger, new courthouse at Fourth and Monterey streets, one block from the old courthouse.
The state finished the $33 million courthouse in December, but the facility first opened Monday due to those differences of opinion regarding funds for court security personnel. The state customarily does not provide additional funding for local bailiffs at such facilities, leaving the county to find an extra $400,000 in the budget to cover the security gap for three new officers.
Officials said they hope to continue efforts in pursuing a change to the state’s policy regarding payments for new, required court personnel.
“We really appreciate the courts working with us,” Supervisor Jerry Muenzer said.
