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Commissioner Eggert believed there is some disagreement <br />about whether this courtroom is needed or not, and when we are so <br />close to doing this space needs study, she really did not see why <br />we are going ahead until we have our consultants on board. <br />Suppose we found out this really isn't going to work and that we <br />need a whole different building and a whole different setup. <br />Commissioner Wheeler noted that was exactly his position <br />yesterday when he was talking with Judge Smith. He has a problem <br />understanding a simple courtroom costing $200,000 when what we <br />originally talked about was a conference type room with <br />soundproof walls and a communications system, etc., for non -jury <br />trials. Chief Judge Geiger seemed to feel that was all right; <br />however, the other judges felt we should do the jury, have the <br />bathrooms, etc., and this has been going back and forth. <br />Commissioner Wheeler stated that he told Judge Smith he could not <br />support this until we had our space needs study done and we would <br />incorporate in that contract that they take an immediate look at <br />a fifth courtroom, what type of a courtroom it should be, where <br />it should be located, and we should also have some idea then <br />whether we are going to be keeping the Annex or not as well as <br />some idea of funds available. There are so many questions that <br />have not been answered about our future needs and there has been <br />so much conflicting information that he is not comfortable with <br />moving ahead until we can get some answers. <br />Chairman Scurlock noted that if we are talking about being <br />within 3-4 years of having a whole new facility, there are a lot <br />of alternatives that could be considered, i.e., renting space, <br />having night court, etc., and further he has heard that the <br />courtrooms often are vacant on Thursdays and Fridays. <br />Commissioner Wheeler believed realistically we are looking <br />at 4-5 years to get the criminal justice complex completed and <br />occupied, and between now and the five year period while there <br />may not be an immediate need, there is no doubt in his mind that <br />there is a need for a fifth courtroom. Since we are going to <br />39 p <br />V 4 196 BOOK 7� P,�GE 81 <br />