Proposed bill may move Jefferson City municipal court operations to city annex

Jefferson City staff presented a bill to City Council Monday that would start the process of moving municipal court operations to the city annex building.

Municipal court is currently held in city hall.

The proposed move is aimed to improve security for court staff and cash operations, which are currently often done out in the open, according to City Counselor Ryan Moehlman.

“It would improve safety by dedicating a space that’s designed to handle the court operations,” Moehlman said. “There’s a lot of money changing hand on court day, and so we want to make sure that we have the most secure location possible for our staff who are running the court.”

Right now, the city’s parks and recreation department operates out of the first floor of the annex. Fire administration occupies the lower level.

But this Thursday, parks and recreation staff are set to move to the new Wellness and Recreation Center which was just completed on Jan. 31. That will leave about 5,500 square feet open in the city annex.

Phase One of the project, which would look at the existing building and provide various renovation options, is expected to cost no more than $15,000.

If council approves the bill, a back-up generator would also be added to the annex for about $10,000.

Both would be funded by funds from the city’s Sales Tax F.