In December 2008, the County negotiated the transfer of court facilities to the AOC in accordance with the Trial Court Facilities Act of 2002 which was adopted to provide for the transfer of responsibility for funding and operation of trial court facilities from counties to the AOC.
As a result of the December 2008 transfers, the County retained ownership of the land and building improvements. The AOC obtained an equity interest in certain portions of the Burney Court designated for the AOC’s exclusive use (the “AOC’s Equity”). The AOC assumed responsibility for the cost of operations and maintenance of the facilities designated for the AOC’s exclusive use, as well as their pro rata share of cost of operations and maintenance of facilities jointly used by the County and the AOC.
The Burney Court in which the County and AOC have joint interest was vacated by the Court for several years. The Sheriff Office continues to operate their substation from that location and has a use for the remainder of the building. The County obtained an independent appraisal of the parcel and improvements and has negotiated this Equity Rights Purchase Agreement as well as the Termination of Joint Occupancy Agreement as part of their liquidation of unused facilities pending the opening of the new Courthouse.
Once the AOC transfers their equity to the County, Public Works intends to work with the Sheriff’s Office on expansion design.