Kentucky Court of Justice
State budget includes authorization for 18 new judicial center projects

FRANKFORT, Ky., April 25, 2006 -- House Bill 380, the Executive Branch budget bill, has authorized new judicial centers and one expansion in 18 Kentucky counties, announced Chief Justice Joseph E. Lambert today. Although the 2006 General Assembly deferred funding until 2008-2010 for these 18 projects, this authorization allows planning for these projects to begin prior to the 2008 General Assembly.

House Bill 382, the 2006-2008 Judicial Branch budget bill passed by the 2006 General Assembly, also provided funding for the 18 judicial center projects authorized in 2005, which will allow these projects to proceed as scheduled.

"I appreciate the legislators who supported improved judicial centers for these counties," said Chief Justice Lambert. "Kentucky citizens generate more than 1 million court cases each year. Our citizens deserve safe, efficient facilities in which to conduct their business before the courts."

"Because the new judicial centers often replace older, vastly inadequate facilities, the new buildings greatly increase the efficiency of services and public flow," said Chief Justice Lambert. "All new judicial centers are equipped with the modern infrastructure to support data, computer, video and networking technology. They also provide the highest level of Kentucky court security through a single-point entry with magnetometers and security personnel."

Next Steps
The Chief Justice said that once funding is authorized, the AOC Department of Court Facilities begins to work with local communities to assemble the Project Development Board (PDB) in each county. This board ensures that county and court officials have input on all aspects of the project, including decisions on the site, architect and contractor. The PDB consists of the county judge executive, a fiscal court representative, the chief circuit judge, the circuit court clerk, the AOC director or designee, and a Kentucky Bar Association designee. The AOC's general manager of court facilities and legal counsel serve in an advisory capacity.

Chief Justice Lambert explained that the AOC provides oversight and administration of court facilities in accordance with House Bill 734, which was passed by the 2000 General Assembly. "As a result of this legislation, the AOC created a process that would fairly and objectively determine facility needs," he said. "Our Facilities Management System has earned the Kentucky Court of Justice a national reputation for being able to identify facilities with the greatest needs for new construction, renovation, expansion and adaptation."

As the administrative and fiscal agent for the Kentucky Court of Justice, the Administrative Office of the Courts oversees construction of court facilities statewide. The AOC also supports the activities of more than 3,400 court system employees, including the elected offices of justices, judges and circuit court clerks.

Complete list of court facilities approved by the 2006 Kentucky General Assembly:

1. Breckinridge County, new judicial center, 33,000 square feet, $11,481,000
Sen. Carroll Gibson and Rep. Dwight Butler

2. Campbell County, new judicial center, 103,700 square feet, $29,284,000
Sen. Katie Stine and Reps. Dennis Keene, Thomas M. McKee, Jon David Reinhardt
and Joe Fischer

3. Fleming County, new judicial center, 32,800 square feet, $11,536,000
Sen. Walter Blevins and Rep. Mitchel B. Denham

4. Franklin County, new judicial center, 101,200 square feet, $29,114,000
Sen. Julian Carroll and Reps. Joe Barrows and Derrick Graham

5. Garrard County, new judicial center, 33,400 square feet, $11,598,000
Sen. Tom Buford and Rep. Lonnie Napier

6. Hancock County, new judicial center, 33,700 square feet, $11,715,000
Sen. Carroll Gibson and Rep. Dwight Butler

7. Hopkins County, new judicial center, 64,300 square feet, $20,492,000
Sen. Jerry Rhoads and Reps. Eddie Ballard, Jim Gooch Jr. and Brent Yonts

8. Marion County, new judicial center, 33,900 square feet, $11,781,000
Sen. Dan Kelly and Rep. Jimmy Higdon

9. Mercer County, new judicial center, 35,600 square feet, $11,963,000
Sen. Dan Kelly and Rep. Milward Dedman 

10. Monroe County, new judicial center, 32,300 square feet, $11,207,000
Sen. David Williams and Rep. James Comer

11. Owen County, new judicial center, 33,000 square feet, $11,471,000
Sen. Damon Thayer and Rep. Royce Adams

12. Pendleton County, judicial center expansion, $8,010,100 added to the $2,228,000 project authorized in 2005
(Note: Previous authorization was for an addition/renovation; the expanded project will provide for a freestanding, independent judicial center)
Sen. Katie Stine and Rep. Thomas McKee

13. Pike County, new judicial center, 94,900 square feet, $28,413,000
Sen. Ray Jones and Reps. Hubert Collins, Howard Cornett and W. Keith Hall

14. Rowan County, new judicial center, 39,200 square feet, $13,044,000
Sen. Walter Blevins and Reps. Rocky Adkins and John Will Stacy

15. Russell County, new judicial center, 33,700 square feet, $11,720,000
Sen. Vernie McGaha and Rep. Jeffrey Hoover

16. Todd County, new judicial center, 27,200 square feet, $9,537,000
Sen. Joey Pendleton and Rep. Sheldon Baugh

17. Whitley County, new judicial center, 57,300 square feet, $18,901,000
Sen. David Williams and Rep. Charles Siler

18. Wolfe County, new judicial center, 33,500 square feet, $11,395,000
Sen. Robert Stivers and Reps. Adrian Arnold and John Will Stacy

Complete list of court facilities approved by the 2005 General Assembly and funded
by the 2006 General Assembly:

1. Adair County, new judicial center, 32,580 square feet, $10,468,000
Sen. Vernie McGaha and Rep. Russ Mobley

2. Boyd County, new judicial center, 60,771 square feet, $19,148,000
Sen. Walter Blevins and Reps. Rocky Adkins, Tanya Pullin and John Vincent

3. Grant County, new judicial center, 45,381 square feet, $14,523,000
Sen. Damon Thayer and Rep. Royce Adams

4. Grayson County, new judicial center, 35,025 square feet, $11,507,000
Sen. Carroll Gibson and Rep. C.B. Embry

5. Green County, new judicial center, 31,444 square feet, $9,819,000
Sen. Richie Sanders and Rep. James Comer

6. Hart County, new judicial center, 34,493 square feet, $11,315,000
Sen. Carroll Gibson and Rep. Terry Shelton

7. Jackson County, new judicial center, 34,493 square feet, $11,034,000
Sen. Tom Jensen and Rep. Marie Rader

8. Laurel County, new judicial center, 86,149 square feet, $23,709,000
Sen. Tom Jensen and Reps. Marie Rader, Charles Siler, Jim Stewart and Tommy Turner

9. Livingston County, addition/alteration, 21,936 square feet, $7,583,000
Sen. Dorsey Ridley and Rep. Mike Cherry

10. Logan County, new judicial center, 45,381 square feet, $14,861,000
Sen. Joey Pendleton and Rep. Sheldon Baugh

11. Pulaski County, new judicial center, 77,740 square feet, $22,421,000
Sen. Vernie McGaha and Reps. Danny Ford, Jimmy Higdon, Jeffrey Hoover, Tommy Turner and Ken Upchurch

12. Shelby County, new judicial center, 57,976 square feet, $18,441,000
Sen. Gary Tapp and Rep. Brad Montell
 
13. Taylor County, new judicial center, 48,611 square feet, $14,806,000
Sen. Dan Kelly and Rep. Russ Mobley

14. Trigg County, new judicial center, 32,049 square feet, $10,224,000
Sen. Ken Winters and Reps. James Carr and Melvin Henley

15. Washington County, new judicial center, 34,493 square feet, $11,381,000
Sen. Dan Kelly and Rep. Mike Harmon

Project Pool:
16. Robertson County, addition, 7,441 square feet, $2,229,000
Sen. Charlie Borders and Rep. Thomas McKee 
 
17. Gallatin County, addition, 7,500 square feet, $2,229,000
Sen. Dick Roeding and Rep. Royce Adams

18. Pendleton County, addition, 7,545 square feet, $2,228,000
Sen. Katie Stine and Rep. Thomas McKee

###

Background:
How the Kentucky Court of Justice Objectively Sets Priorities for
Court Facility Needs

Kentucky is beginning to attract attention nationwide for the Facilities Management System (FMS) it implemented to objectively set priorities for court facility needs. “We believe this system is one of the most sophisticated and effective ever created to accurately assess facility needs,” said Joseph E. Lambert, Chief Justice of Kentucky. “This comprehensive process ensures that Kentucky counties are given fair and impartial consideration when it comes to setting priorities for court facility projects.”

Today’s Facilities Management System began as a modest capital projects program launched in the early 1990s to improve judicial buildings throughout Kentucky. The program made general improvements to existing buildings, and constructed building additions and several new, small freestanding courthouse facilities. These efforts had a surprising effect: They exposed the extensive deterioration of most of Kentucky’s courthouses, which suffered from inadequate space, safety and security issues, and outdated technology, mechanical and electrical systems.

When the scope of the program unexpectedly expanded, there was no budgetary support, well-defined plan or centralized management to support it. Until 2000, attempts to construct new judicial centers were plagued with unrealistic program assessments and budget estimates, non-regulated contracting practices, lack of regulatory standards, and little design and construction contract oversight. Large cost overruns and inadequate facilities were the result.

Chief Justice Lambert began intensive efforts to remedy the situation in 1999 when he hired architect Garlan VanHook, AIA to serve as general manager of the Department of Court Facilities. The Chief Justice then turned his attention to the 2000 Kentucky General Assembly. He worked with state legislators to pass House Bill 734, which authorized the Chief Justice to establish rules to govern and regulate the state’s courthouse construction program. Just months later, in October 2000, Chief Justice Lambert established a comprehensive system for facility development by signing facilities-related policies and practices into the Administrative Procedures for the Court of Justice, Part X, which carry the authority of law.

The Kentucky Facilities Management System consists of three sections:

Section I. Court Facilities Development. This section addresses how to analyze and prioritize facility needs and develop the appropriate project scope and cost estimates.
Section II. Court Facilities Criteria. This section provides standardized criteria to determine the size and nature of required facilities in seven categories.
Section III. Court Facilities Design and Construction. This section gives designers and builders guidance on the requirements of a modern judicial facility.
 
In only six years, this new approach has exceeded all expectations in its ability to provide practical, efficient and cost-effective judicial buildings for Kentucky citizens. Under this new system, the 2000 General Assembly authorized construction of 20 new facilities. Of those, 19 have been completed. The estimated cost was $251,000,000 and the final cost was $255,000.000. The Court of Justice currently has four projects under construction, 12 under design this year and 19 with design pending next year. These projects represent an investment of $481 million in much-needed judicial facilities in Kentucky.