Courthouse financing continues waiting period

Of the four people who spoke at a public hearing on a proposal for the county to bond for $37 million to construct a new courthouse at least half favored the effort.

That and an additional $14 million are expected to fund construction of the building on a site located along Buckeye Road near the future Muller Lane Parkway.

Thursday’s hearing was a requirement under Nevada law, but it’s not the only means residents have of opposing bonding, should they choose to take it.

A 90-day period during which someone could file a petition and collect 5 percent of the signatures of registered voters from the last election started Dec. 26. As of Thursday morning, no petition had been filed, Clerk-Treasurer Amy Burgans confirmed.

Should no petition appear by March 26, the bonds could then be sold.

On Thursday, County Manager Jenifer Davidson said delaying the project could increase its cost $2-$3 million a year.

“The bottom line is that we strongly recommend not delaying this any further,” she said. “It’s unfortunate we weren’t able to build this years ago.”

While no action was taken at the meeting, the main debate among commissioners was how to refer to the proposed structure.

“Names are important,” Commissioner Sharla Hales said, advocating for it to be referred to as a justice center. “We’re not building it for judges. We’re building it for justice. We’re providing an opportunity for justice to be done in our community. Not for any particular thing or person.”

Should the courthouse construction be successful it would be one of the rare times that Douglas County has had separate structures housing the courts and the Sheriff’s Office.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office would remain in the current Judicial & Law Enforcement Building, constructed in 1982. While much of the building has been remodeled over the years, increasing the size of the jail around 2010 is the main thing anchoring the Sheriff’s Office to its present location.

Expanding that structure would require a parking garage, which would significantly increase its cost.

and interfere with its operation, according to the county.

The county will post background on the courthouse at www.douglascountynv.gov, Davidson said.