Jasper Courthouse Future Discussed

The Jasper County Courthouse in Newton is almost 150 years old. Whether the building should be renovated or replaced was the subject of a special meeting of the Jasper County Board on Thursday night.

Board Chairman Jason Warfel chaired the meeting and shared the history of the structure that was constructed between 1876 and 1878. 

Shannon Woodard of Conner and Conner Engineers reported on findings from a recent study that indicated the structure is near its maximum lifespan. It was also indicated that the cost to renovate of the building could equal or exceed the cost of a new structure.

Board member Michael Geier said, "The fiscally responsible thing for Jasper County to do is to stop the hemorrhaging of money from trying to continually repair this courthouse."

There was support from the public to maintain the current courthouse, and some residents wondered about converting the Courthouse into a county museum similar to what has been done with the former courthouse in Effingham. There were comments that any new building should incorporate appropriate items from the current facility.

Jasper County has a funding source for the project, an Energy Transition Community Grant. The grant is an offshoot of the Illinois Energy Transition Act, which mandates that all coal fired power plants must be closed by 2045, such as the plant near Newton. The funding is available six years prior to the plant closure and available yearly six years after the closure.

The cost of the project, whatever option is chosen, won't be fully known until the plans are in place. 

Warfel indicated that the Board will make a formal decision on how to proceed at the next meeting, which is scheduled for February 15.