Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Quorum Court Battles Over What to Build

Members of the Clark County Quorum Court met in special session Tuesday, Sept. 21 to discuss the proposed new Clark County Courthouse.

However, the justices split into different factions and nothing was accomplished.

The original plan was to construct a 15,500 square foot facility on property the county purchased behind the existing courthouse. This courthouse was to have one courtroom, a law library and house all county offices.

However, one justice, who is also on the budget committee, threatened to kill the project in committee unless the county built a 20,000 square foot, two-story courthouse with two courtrooms. This is what led to the special session.

Clark County Judge Grady Runyan said it is his contention if the county builds a two story courthouse the current structure will fall into a state of disrepair and will not be maintained. "There would be two buildings to keep up," he said, "with no need."

Runyan said it would be more prudent to build a new courthouse, renovate the current one and use both. He said the meeting, which saw about 45 residents in attendance, was harmonious for the most part, though some JPs sat in the audience instead of at the table with the other justices.

A motion to build a two story, 20,000 foot complex was made and seconded, with discussion following. After much debate, the second was removed, the motion seconded again and the vote failed 9-2.

Another motion was made, this one to annex an additional 1,200 to 1,800 square feet onto the west side of the current courthouse. The motion included having an architect draw up a preliminary floor plan of the annexation and bring it, along with a projected price, to the next meeting of the court, which will be Oct. 9.

At this time the justices will again debate the pros and cons of an annexed structure being added to the existing facilities.

Runyan said the court is split on the original plan and Gurdon representative Larry Thomerson has stated he will not vote for any annexation, but wants the two-story structure instead.

"I see it (the meeting) as a small step forward," Runyan said. "We will either put a plan in motion or get it out of the way. The court is completely split. If the building problem is not settled Oct. 9, I will make a proposal to put on the table asking for money to build (the original plan). They will have the option of voting for it or against it."

All Runyan will need is a majority decision in his favor. He said if an issue is presented before the court three times it is automatically passed.

"The people of the county are looking to the judge for leadership in this matter," he said. "I've been lenient, courteous and cooperative with the quorum court. I've wanted them to make the decision. We've been wrestling with it for six years at least."

Runyan favors going across the street and constructing a 17,000 square foot courthouse, which, he said, would cost $1.7 million and would follow the same basic floor plan as the 15,500 plan.

He said if no decision is made, the entire matter will be dropped.