Not long after entering the building that houses Seneca County's common pleas courts, one comes face to face with a way consolidated court space could save taxpayers money.
Sheriff deputies staff the public entryway, screening people before they enter the building. This type of security is lacking at Tiffin Municipal Court and at probate and juvenile courts, and would have to be replicated if separate facilities are developed for those courts.
This is one way a consolidated court facility - a new building adjacent the current courtrooms - could be cost-efficient. Another economy of scale involves the existing heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system serving the current courthouse, which may be large enough to handle HVAC duties for a new court space, as well.
County commissioners and Tiffin city officials met Thursday night to discuss including municipal court operations in a new building, which could increase these efficiencies.
Discussions between city and county officials might reveal the arrangement wouldn't be feasible. But it seems more likely they could discover more ways consolidating court spaces could reduce costs. Residents might also find a consolidated court space to be convenient.
But we are certain the sheriff and Tiffin police chief could find ways to keep officers busy if they are not needed to staff security checkpoints at additional court spaces.
