County says $2 million in legislative funds will pay for courthouse screening; equipment due in June

Court administration told the commission a courthouse screening program will go live June 1 after the county received one-time legislative funding to buy screening equipment and hire security staff.

"It's gonna go live June 1," the court official said, and added that contracts have been signed and equipment ordered, including X-ray machines and a metal detector to be sited at the Jefferson Street entrance and staffed by two security officers.

The official said the funding awarded through a statewide allocation totaled about $2,000,000 for equipment purchases and that work was underway with the sheriff's office and county accounting to install the systems.

The county plans to contract with DPI, a private security company that already holds contracts with other state agencies, to staff the screening point, the official said.

Court leaders also asked commissioners to hold July 22 for a visit and series of meetings with the chief justice and the state court administrator to review local needs and meet justice partners; the planned program would run roughly from 9 a.m. to mid-afternoon.

Commissioners asked about communications and dispatch procedures; court staff said a press release and mass communication will be issued in the coming days with more detail. No formal vote was required at the meeting.