More space is needed for court, judge claims

BENTON, Mo. -- With file boxes lining the hall leaving only a narrow walkway between them, associate court staff and officials are looking to the Scott County Commission for some additional storage.

Associate Circuit Court Judge David Mann met with Scott County commissioners during their regular meeting Tuesday.

"We're just out of space -- absolutely out of space," Mann said.

Commissioners agreed to look for some extra storage space.

Presiding Commissioner Martin Priggel asked if the file boxes are all right or if they need file cabinets. Mann said as long as the boxes have their sides supported by a wall or another box, they are fine.

"We don't want file cabinets for all this stuff," he said.

* Scott County Economic Developer Jim Schwaninger reported on the progress of a video arraignment grant application.

Schwaninger said the proposal was returned to them "for fine-tuning on the numbers" including the estimate on the cost of required equipment.

The Sheriff's Department estimates 214 hours per month are spent bringing prisoners to and from court appearances, Schwaninger said.

The grant proposal estimates video arraignment will cut that time in half, freeing up over 100 hours of deputy time so they can be out patrolling the roads instead. "We are really enhancing public safety," said Schwaninger.

The revised application was sent Monday.

Schwaninger said the cost was projected to be around $59,750 with the county's share being 25 percent and the state paying 75 percent.

The video arraignment system will include one station at the jail and one in each of the three courtrooms.

Schwaninger said the local record preservation grant application was also fine-tuned.

* Following their regular session, commissioners went to Scott City to meet with the city's officials and discuss water damage from the recent heavy rains.