Christian County Judicial Center nearing completion

The new Christian County Jail in Ozark is targeted for completion August 9th, with the remainder of the $7.4 million judicial center set for completion and opening three months later.

"We just made the first payment on the bonds," said Tom Chudomelka, county commissioner. "That was $349,000. We intend to have it paid off in 15 years, the maximum length of the bonds."

The three-story 85,000-square-foot judicial center, financed by general obligation bonds, will house the jail, 96 prisoners, support staff, services such as laundry and kitchen, intake and processing, and three courtrooms. The new facility also will house offices for the judges, the prosecuting attorney, the circuit clerk, and the sheriff.

"This building's a little over three times the size of our current courthouse," Chudomelka said. "We may bring the University of Missouri Extension office into the new building and the juvenile offices, which are now in leased quarters. That would save us some money."

According to Chudomelka, the old courthouse will be renovated and will keep the treasurer's office, county commission offices, and the county clerk's office.

The general contractor on the new judicial center is R.E. Smith.