Officials dedicate new Houston County State Court

PERRY, Ga. — County officials, court staff and leadership as well as other public figures gathered Tuesday morning to cut the ribbon on the new Houston County State Court, located at 201 Perry Parkway.

Sporting 45,945 square feet in space and two stories in height, the SPLOST-funded $20.6 million building will be outfitted with the following features: two courtrooms, two judges’ chambers and support staff areas, one jury assembly room, two prisoner holding areas, an IT room, one employee lounge, one assembly room, a suite of clerks’ offices, a suite of offices for the public defender, a suite of offices for the solicitor general, an array of security measures, a tunnel for moving prisoners between the jail and court, public restrooms, staff elevators along with public elevators.

Tommy Stalnaker, chairman of the Houston County Commissioners, said the required square footage was becoming a concern at the former state court building, and with the new court moving to Perry, the sheriff’s office and tax commissioner can use it to spread out their operations. He added that the nearly 46,000 square foot addition to the 18-19,000 square feet in existing space in Perry was built while thinking of its potential future use.

“The building was built with growth and the future [in mind], and it will accommodate growth for many years to come,” Stalnaker said. “Two years and three days ago, we broke ground on this building, and there’s been tremendous strides in being able to build this building in that length of time.”

Judge Jason Ashford with the State Court of Houston County talked about an old adage: “the secret to happiness is gratitude.” He also showed appreciation for the courthouse staff working alongside him.

“We’re going to have a beautiful area to spread justice,” Ashford said. “That’s what we’re going to do, and we’re filled with gratitude.”

Judge Edward Lukemire with the Superior Court of Houston County talked about a “bigger picture,” that this new expansion and its process were built on a public trust of deserving county and city governments. This began after the approval of SPLOST legislation and its use within the county.

“Historically, since then, people in Houston County have approved SPLOST projects, and they’ve done so, I believe, because our county commissioners and local mayors and councils, have delivered on what they promised,” Lukemire said. “What was on the ballot was what they did — and they were always good stewards of that money.”

Sheriff Cullen Talton said the new building would help in streamlining some of his office’s work.

“This is going to be a big help for us at the sheriff’s department because we’ve been transporting a lot of prisoners from here up to Warner Robins,” Talton said. “So, now we won’t have to do that anymore; that’ll be a real convenience for us.”

Dan Perdue, commissioner chairman-elect, talked about the role of the commissioners and their position in making moves with the future in mind.

“Those of us who are just now coming into leadership really appreciate and are reaping the benefits of a commission that has historically looked to the future,” Perdue said. “They were not just concerned about problems they were facing now, but they really thought about problems of the future — and this building is a representation of that.”

Larry Walker, attorney and former state representative, spoke of the time the state court was moved to Warner Robins from Perry, explaining the legislative process behind approving the state court to be located anywhere within the county. He applauded local government leadership for collaborating effectively and bringing it back to Perry.

“When it came back up to move it back to Perry, for very good and logical reasons to move it back to Perry, there was hardly any discord about it,” Walker said. “I think [that] says a lot for the county.

“I’ve been all over the state. [In] most places, the county commissioners can’t even get along, a lot of places they don’t even speak to each other. You look at these people down here in this front row, and you look at how long some of them have served; it’s just not that way in other counties. … I’m proud to live in Houston County, and I know you are, too.”

Larry Walker III, state senator, alongside Shaw Blackmon, state representative, spoke on how the new relocation of the court is a wise decision for the county. They both commended local leadership for their efforts in making the project happen.

“It’s going to create a lot of efficiency,” Walker III said. “It will help the sheriff’s department, as you already heard, saving the taxpayers a lot of money.

“It’s going to be safer for the deputies and the court staff. It’s going to be more convenient for the citizens because there’s a lot of confusion as to what court to go to, where the court is located. A lot of people go to the superior court when they’re supposed to be at the state court and vice versa. It’s just a really, really good move for Houston County.”

“I just want to thank [Commissioner Chairman Stalnaker] for all that he has done to see this to fruition, and everybody else here,” Blackmon said. “I’m happy to be part of it.”

Chairman Stalnaker acknowledged various parties for their contributions to the project: current and former county commissioners; current and former legislative delegation; architecture design by JMA; construction management by ICB; Mark Baker and Purchasing staff; Michael Phillips and Public Building staff; Tom Hall, attorney; Robbie Dunbar, director of administration; Brian Jones, director of operations; Travis McLendon and Roads support staff; Accounting staff; Gail O’Quinn and staff; county citizens and voters; City of Perry Mayor, Council and staff; Sheriff Talton and courthouse security staff; the solicitor general, court clerk public defender and Judge Ashford.

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