Fate of Common Pleas remains a worry in county consolidation plans

Editor's note: This story has been change to reflect that state court services, not county services, would be relocated to Jackson under the changes proposed.

Removal of court services from Cape Girardeau and county security concerns were among the top issues discussed at an open-house meeting Thursday night at the Osage Centre about the future of Cape Girardeau County facilities.

The Cape Girardeau County Commission formed an advisory board about a year ago to review three options proposed by Treanor Architects. The options call for significant updates or replacement for court and administration needs. All of the plans call for the consolidation of court services under one roof in a new courthouse in Jackson, meaning the county would no longer be in need of the Common Pleas Courthouse. The courthouse in Jackson would be renovated and filled with the offices of county assessor and public defender, as well as drug court.

On Thursday night, the board focused on Option C, which county officials have said in recent months is the plan given most consideration by the group. Board member Mary Ludwig said the first two options were quickly eliminated because of parking issues.

The first plan didn't include a parking garage, which Ludwig said was a problem. Parking is barely sufficient for the level of court services currently provided, and moving in additional services would only exacerbate the problem, she said.

The second plan included construction of a parking garage, but it would be in an area that required visitors to cross traffic to reach the courthouse, which Ludwig said the board believed would be a problem.

The final and most-favored option calls for building a two-level parking garage with 88 spaces on each level next to the new courthouse at the corner of North Missouri and Washington streets.

Some of the questions posed at the meeting were whether all county services would be moved from Cape Girardeau and why. Associate Commissioner Charlie Herbst said the satellite offices for the clerk, collector and assessor -- currently in the Common Pleas annex -- would remain in Cape Girardeau. As District 2 Commissioner, which includes Cape Girardeau, he said he plans to continue to advocate for those services to remain in the city.

But state court services would be moved out of Cape Girardeau if the committee recommends Option C and the commission approves the plan. That recommendation is expected to take place Jan. 26.

From judges to circuit clerks to law enforcement officials, many explanations were offered as to why court services should be consolidated under one roof. If the county has only one courthouse, state law requires it to be in the county seat, officials said.

Circuit Judge Ben Lewis said one courthouse also would eliminate confusion. Witnesses, jurors, even lawyers are "constantly going to the wrong courthouse," he said.

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan said a new courthouse would come with many security benefits. He called Common Pleas a "security nightmare," mentioning the unfavorable setup for those appearing before Judge Scott Lipke in adult abuse cases. Opposing parties are left standing face-to-face in the hallway before entering the courtroom, he said.

Circuit Clerk Patti Wibbenmeyer said Thursday morning there were more than 40 such cases, meaning more than 100 people were forced to wait outside the courtroom.

"There are days when you literally can't get through the hallway," she said.

Common Pleas also presents difficulties for those with disabilities, county officials said. It has no elevator, leaving the top floor inaccessible.

Cape Girardeau Councilman Wayne Bowen asked whether data was available on the number of Cape Girardeau residents that use the court's services. Whether the data shows consolidation to Jackson means a majority of people are benefiting or inconvenienced by the change could be critical to helping people make an informed decision on the plan, he said. Such numbers were not available at Thursday's meeting.

City Councilman Mark Lanzotti, who has questioned the decision to move court services out of Cape Girardeau, asked why the advisory board was not asked to consider a plan that included a continued division of services between the neighboring cities. Presiding Commissioner Clint Tracy said that's not completely out of the picture.

"If the public says 'we want duplicate services,' if there's a huge outcry for that, that's something the committee would bring to the commission," he said.

Each commissioner also pointed out the plans were not finalized and could be adjusted based on need and budget. The county is likely looking at a bond issue, which leaves three payment options: property tax, sales tax or use tax. The county was unsuccessful in its attempts to pass a use tax in April.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

1 Barton Square, Jackson, Mo.