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STEUBENVILLE -- Jefferson County commissioners, Prosecutor Jane Hanlin, Sheriff Fred Abdalla and Common Pleas Judge Michelle Miller met on Thursday to discuss security issues at the courthouse.
The meeting is a result of the shooting of Common Pleas Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr. outside the courthouse on Aug. 21. The judge is continuing to recover at home and the shooter, Nathaniel Richmond, 51, was pronounced dead at the scene after Bruzzese and a county probation officer returned fire.
The security meeting was held in executive session but the commissioners made comments after the closed-door meeting.
Commissioner David Maple said those at the meeting offered good ideas on ways to improve security at the building.
"Most visitors to the courthouse won't see significant changes even though there will be some," Maple said.
He noted some of the processes for getting into the building may change.
He said the courthouse already has good security in place, with three sheriff's deputies in the building and a metal detector at the public entrance.
"It is a safe place to work," he said.
Commissioner Thomas Graham said everyone at the meeting was in agreement about the proposed security changes.
Maple said a follow-up meeting will be held in a month or two to see how the proposed changes are working.
The commissioners received an opinion from the prosecutor's office stating requests for proposals can be received concerning how to replace control boards at the Justice Center, but the commissioners said that process may take too much time. The commissioners will seek professional help on getting bid specifications to replace the control panels.
The control boards are used to electronically unlock about 120 doors at the jail and in the juvenile detention center. The boards are original to the jail and parts are difficult to find, according to Chief Deputy John Parker.
Commissioners are in the process of interviewing architects for work on county buildings. Commissioner Tom Gentile said one of the firms is certified by the state to do jail work, and Graham said it would be wise to have a professional prepare the specifications.
Commissioners chose JPMorgan Chase Bank for a $3 million loan to build a parking lot at the rear of the courthouse and improvements to the Towers and Justice Center. The bank will charge a 3 percent interest on the 10-year loan.
Graham noted the borrowing power of the county has improved over the past 10 years.
"I can remember a time when the county couldn't borrow money," he said.
Maple added the county is paying off some old loans and can take on the new debt without an impact on the county's financial condition.
In other matters, commissioners signed a road-use maintenance agreement with Ohio Gathering Co. for the installation of gas pipelines in Smithfield Township to connect wells. Several county and township roads will be designated for hauling. County Engineer James Branagan said the company has posted a $5 million road bond.
In other business, the commissioners:
¯ Signed a $228,840 state grant for alternative sentencing for low-level felony offenders. The grant provides alternatives to prison, including time in the county jail, house arrest and more counseling and drug treatment. Twenty five percent of the grant amount can be used to reimburse the sheriff for housing prisoners in the county jail.
¯ Received the August report for the animal shelter showing 90 dogs were brought to the shelter, 55 dogs were adopted and 13 were sent to rescue or foster organizations. One dog was euthanized due to a medical reason. There were 25 county humane society cases.
(Law can be contacted at mlaw@heraldstaronline.com.)