Commissioners In Favor Of $59,820 Expense For New Chairs For Criminal Courtrooms, Jury Rooms

County Commission members on Wednesday indicated support for spending $59,820 for new chairs for the three courtrooms and jury rooms at Criminal Court.

Judge Barry Steelman said the chairs had not been replaced since the Courts Building opened in February 1992.

He said on two occasions attorneys had fallen through chairs at the courts.

Judge Steelman said the judges were mindful of spending taxpayer money and had been hesitant about asking for the items, but he said it was time for the update.

Commissioner Joe Graham, who heads the finance committee, said he toured the courts and found the chairs to be "very old and worn out."

He said say he thought the bid for the 144 chairs was "extremely high."

CWC Office Furnishings had the low bid. There were six bid notifications and four responses.

The chairs will be placed in the jury boxes, jury deliberation rooms, defendant/attorney waiting and staging areas and staff chairs for the court officer, bailiff, witness and attorneys.

Also appearing before the commission were Judges Don Poole and Rebecca Stern.