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Hernando Today

Economy Could Shelve Judicial Center Project

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: March 7, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - Last week, county commissioners whittled down the projects they hope will qualify for federal funding under President Barack Obama's $787 billion economic stimulus plan.

One of those projects is the construction of a new judicial center for Hernando County. Estimated cost: $50 million.

That federal money may be the only way to pay for the project if County Commissioners Jim Adkins and David Russell have their way.

Both will ask their colleagues Tuesday to scrap plans for the judicial center at least until the economy recovers.

The county had already dedicated $19 million to the project, with the rest coming from private funding.

Russell said that money would stay in a special fund set aside for that purpose if judicial space needs dictate its use in the future.

"The fiscal dynamic is changing almost daily and I don't believe it's timely to acquire more debt," Russell said.

Russell said the judges have indicated they would work with the county to find more room at the government center. Staff downsizing and streamlining has opened up more space there, he said.

Russell already has at least one supporter in Commissioner Jim Adkins.

Adkins said he has looked at the square footages of the government center, and he believes there are ways to reconfigure existing space to accommodate more courtrooms.

It might mean moving some departments around and tearing down some walls, but it is feasible, he said.

Keeping the judicial facilities in the government center also makes sense because the building already has security, he said.
Hernando County has long talked about building a new judicial center that would allow the judges to move out of the crowded government center and into a new building dedicated solely to the judiciary.

The $19 million set aside for the project could be used to make up the shortfall in next year's budget, Adkins said.

"We're looking at cuts this year and next year could be worse," he said.

Meanwhile, commissioners are hoping the judicial center, along with eight other top-drawer projects, will qualify under Obama's stimulus package.

Such a project has the potential for creating the most jobs and would be ready to begin construction the fastest.

Florida's share of the federal money is an estimated $13.4 billion. The final number should be known later this month.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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