Commissioners commit $10 million to courthouse security

ALBANY — Linn County will commit $10 million in American Recovery Plan Act funds to improve courthouse security, Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker unanimously agreed Tuesday morning.

Linn County had hoped to use $16 million allocated by the State of Oregon to build a new courthouse, but projected costs —as much as $60 million — made that concept unfeasible. The county turned to the possibility of adding onto the current building to house court offices and the District Attorney’s Office and create a secure entryway to the courtrooms on the third floor of the courthouse.

But state regulations don’t allow funding for additions, only new construction.

The commissioners have participated on the Court Security Advisory Committee for several years, as well as provided money and equipment to address security items identified by the committee.

Commissioner Sprenger said she would like the committee to review what other counties have done in terms of courthouse security, research costs associated with their projects and report back no later than Oct. 1.

Several people attended the meeting and two encouraged the commissioners to expedite the process.  

In other business, the commissioners:

• Approved entering into a due diligence process for the possible purchase of the former Albany Evangelical Church building at 1332 First Ave. SE for about $1.45 million. The county would move portions of the Health Department into the building. Commissioners Sprenger and Tucker approved the plan, Commissioner Nyquist was opposed. The almost 19,000-square-foot building has been on the market for about a year.
• Approved a sheltering/emergency use agreement between Linn County and the City of Sweet Home for the use of the Jim Riggs Community Center in the event of a major disaster. The facility includes a full kitchen, gymnasium, grassy fields, paved parking lot and classrooms that could be used in organizing a sheltering site. Linn County would reimburse the city for any supplies used or any damages incurred.
• Were informed by Juvenile Department Director Torri Lynn there were 46 referrals in June, of which 12 were for dependency and 21 were criminal. There are 191 young people in the Probation Unit, of which 18 are considered high-risk. There are 69 young people under the Community Programs Unit and the Intervention Specialist is working with 114 youth.
• Approved paying $1,069 for an easement granted by the Floyd and Kathy Zumwalt Revocable Living Trust for property involved in the Goldfish Farm Road Improvement project.
• Approved a property line adjustment for Fern Hollow Farms. The owners plan to create two 5-acre parcels and one 54.41-acre parcel. The request is a Measure 37 application and a Measure 49 claim.
• Approved a Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment to allow construction of concrete batch plant on 5 acres on Belts Drive, about 5 miles east of Harrisburg by Wilsonville Concrete Products.

Media contact: Alex Paul, Linn County Communications Officer, 541-967-3825 or email apaul@co.linn.or.us.