Editor’s note: This story was updated on June 12, 2022, at 3 pm to reflect that Robertson Construction Services completed the annex renovations, not Modern Builders as originally reported. Modern Builders did the ramp expansion on the east side of the courthouse.
MOUNT VERNON — Barring any last-minute snags, the Knox County Courthouse’s annex building should be ready for use next week.
Both the common pleas and juvenile/probate courts will use the annex for hearings and court proceedings.
“The project is complete, and we have the occupancy permit,” County Administrator Jason Booth said. “The project was substantially delayed due to material shortages, specifically windows, but we maintained the budget.”
Renovations include a new roof, doors, and windows; beautification efforts, such as upgrading the surrounding sidewalks and adding landscaping; and repainting. The windows are energy efficient with aluminum facing to reduce maintenance.
Robertson Construction Services did the annex renovation for $425,400. The engineer’s estimate was $450,000. The county used permanent improvement funds to pay for the project.
Modern Builders also installed an ADA-compliant ramp on the east side of the courthouse.
The city’s Historical Review Commission approved the renovations in June 2021.
“It’s a beautiful space and an excellent use of the building. We tried to incorporate the look of the courthouse into the interior design,” Booth said. “The judges are excited to begin using the space and look forward to eliminating the scheduling conflicts in the main courthouse.”
On May 24, the commissioners granted Juvenile/Probate Judge Jay Nixon’s request to raise the legal fees for guardian ad litems (GALs) to $75 per hour. The previous fee was $50 per hour for out-of-court services and $60 per hour for in-court services.
GALs represent children in juvenile proceedings and indigent parents facing termination of their parental rights in adoption proceedings in probate court.
“There are very few counties that are still at $50 and $60 an hour,” Nixon told the commissioners on May 12. “We are losing good GALs that are going to Morrow, Licking, and Franklin counties.”
The commissioners also raised the rate for legal representation in cases where there is a conflict of interest for local attorneys. The previous rates also were $50 and $60 for out-of-court and in-court services, respectively. The new rate is $75 per hour.
“We don’t have enough attorneys to cover conflict cases, and we know we’re not paying them enough,” Nixon said. “They’re coming from Licking County and Franklin County to help us out; we want to keep them coming.”
The State of Ohio reimburses the county for GAL and conflict of interest fees. In 2019, the reimbursement rate was 80%.
Nixon said that Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration has allocated more money for reimbursement. Since May 2021, it has been 100% reimbursed.
The commissioners noted that the reimbursement level correlates with hourly rates. If all counties raise the rate to $75, the reimbursement level is likely to drop.
There is a clause in the agreement that states if the State of Ohio reimbursement rate falls below 80%, the the reimbursement rate for GALs and conflict attorneys will revert back to $50 and $60.
Grant applications
The county plans to apply for a $158,000 CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) allocation grant for sidewalk and drainage improvements in Brinkhaven. The project meets the low- and moderate-income (LMI) objectives and will serve 135 residents. The application is due June 15.
The county will also apply for a $750,000 Residential Public Infrastructure Grant to extend waterlines from the City of Mount Vernon to the Clinton Township Buckeye Addition. The grant will cover the construction of public water lines in addition to tap-in fees and the cost to extend lines from the main lines to LMI owner-occupied households.
Clinton Township will contribute $70,000 and the City of Mount Vernon will contribute $680,000. The project benefits about 202 people.
Grant announcements are expected in September. Work must be completed by August 2024.
