Consultants put forth a plan for a new two-story courthouse when they addressed the Shawano County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 28, with costs and tax impacts yet to be determined.
“Again, they (the plans) are not complete, but once we get them in a more complete condition, we’re going to update a budget for you,” said Kurt Berner, of The Samuels Group.”That updated budget will be then be able to be broken down into phases and broken down into your tax impact.”
Berner said they hope to collect all necessary data in February with the board to vote in March on authorizing a maximum borrowing amount — not to actually borrow money but set a limit for when any future borrowing votes are taken.
A new courthouse is at least four years away, even if given the go-ahead next month.
“If you gave them green light in February, more than likely it’s going to be the end of 2026 before those (bidding documents) are ready to go to bidders. It takes that long to get those documents done,” Berner said. “When bids are received … the time frame to be able to construct a facility like this is probably 30-36 months.”
Cory Beyer, of Venture Architects, said the new plan features county offices on the first floor and the courts, probate and district attorney on the second floor.
A 150-bed housing pod for inmates would remain as an alternate bid for this first phase. A second housing pod, if needed in 20 years, could be built, but the current evidence building would need to be relocated.
The new courthouse would have a single point of entry for the public and would include metal detectors, an open stairway and elevators to the second floor.
The county board room would include a flexible wall that could expand for added seating. The space behind that wall would also be available for up to three conference rooms.
An enclosed corridor, elevator and access to the courtroom for inmates would end any public interaction. Inmates would only appear in the courtrooms via the secured entrance.
A new laundry and kitchen for the jail would also be built.
“The laundry and kitchen are sized for any future expansion,” Beyer said. “If you know you’re going to do an additional housing pod 20 years from now, you don’t have to increase your laundry and kitchen. It’s just mainly maybe adding a piece of equipment or extending the hours of operation.”
Berner said the housing pod will serve as a replacement for the work release center on Engel Drive.
“That housing unit will then be evaluated not only from your costs, but how much you will save operationally, meaning that work release center is no longer used,” he said. “You can put it on the market, and you can sell it. And now you can properly manage your population, how much savings you’ll be gaining in your operating costs.”
An important part of the proposal is the communications component with the public.
A letter will be sent to all taxpayers, and a website will be created to house all information relating to the building plan.
It would include an introduction as to why new buildings (courthouse, jail and library) are being considered as well as the needs for space and security.
“We typically don’t represent a lot of detail in these facilities for security purposes, but we’ll give some general ideas of the departments and where they are,” Berner said.
Photos will be used to show deteriorating and dangerous conditions. There will be supporting documents such as condition reports and inspection reports.
There will also a section about the tax impact.
“If that first phase that I showed you that’s replacing the courthouse and getting the connection to that old jail, how much is that going to cost me on my tax bill,” Berner said. “Not the millions of dollars it’s going to cost, but how much is it going to affect my tax bill. That’s what people want to know.”
Cost savings from efficiencies will also be highlighted.
Informational meetings with the public will also be held, most likely one in each section of the county — east, west and central.
“I think we do have to have the meetings in the three locations … just to give everybody the opportunity, especially if weather is an issue for whatever reason,” Supervisor Randy Mallmann said.
There will also a frequently asked questions tab and a contact tab for questions.
Informational meetings may also be recorded and placed on the website, as well as a presentation by Berner before the meetings are held.
“The more information you have out there, the better,” Mallmann said.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
Nick Hesse, Shawano County’s facilities management director, notes that the circuit breaker system in the courthouse is no longer made. Hesse led a tour of county supervisors after they heard a discussion about future buildings plans Jan. 28. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Nick Hesse, Shawano County’s facilities management director, and Supervisor Heather Pahl stand in a basement storage area for the county treasurer. Holiday decorations adorn the tops of shelves that house historical records. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
When the Shawano County Courthouse was built in the 1950s, the most significant technology was the phone system. With the advent of the computers, internet and and other technology, a variety of small rooms and spaces have been converted to network hubs. The main issues are rooms with plumbing running overhead and water boiler piping along the sides of the racks and switches. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
Matt Hietpas, Shawano County’s information technology director, explains how the network cables and connections have taken over a variety of small spaces in the courthouse since it was build in the 1950s. Bathrooms, cleaning closets and cubbyholes are now often used to house the technology infrastructure. Hietpas said the racks and switches are not the issues in the server room; rather, it is issues with the plumbing running overhead and water boiler piping along with the sides. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
