Morrow County's Board of Commissioners tackled a significant budget revision for the Circuit Courthouse annex project during their regular session on December 18, 2024. The initial cost estimate soared to $50 million, a staggering increase that prompted immediate reassessment.

Architect Kelly Stewart from DLR Group presented a revised budget, aiming to bring the project down to a more manageable $30 to $35 million. This adjustment follows extensive discussions with stakeholders to refine space requirements and eliminate unnecessary costs. The design team has already begun to streamline the project, proposing a reduction in square footage from 28,500 to approximately 21,000 square feet.

Commissioner Matt, who participated via Zoom due to illness, emphasized the need for a realistic budget, stating that the previous estimate included inflated costs and unedited space requests. The board is now faced with critical decisions regarding the project's scope, including whether to proceed with relocating the justice court to the new facility.

The next steps involve finalizing the schematic design and ensuring that the project remains on schedule to avoid further cost escalations. The board's proactive approach aims to balance fiscal responsibility with the community's needs, setting a clear path forward for the courthouse annex project.