FRANKFORT- Grayson County is one of 16 Kentucky counties authorized for new or renovated court facilities, Chief Justice Joseph E. Lambert announced Thursday (Mar. 9).

The announcement came shortly after the 2005 General Assembly approved the 2004-2006 state budget, which included capital projects statewide.

Grayson County is No. 13 on the list of 16 judicial centers, a ranking based on evaluations of all current judicial structures that placed those with the greatest need highest on the list. Adair County is ranked No. 1 for replacement.

"Nearly 1 million court cases flow through Kentucky's courtrooms each year," Lambert said.

"Our state's courthouses have long served as the core of our communities. That's why I'm pleased our state legislators have given their approval for 16 counties to get the court facilities they so desperately need and deserve.

"We began requesting these judicial center projects in the year 2002," he added. "I want to thank Sen. Carroll Gibson and Rep. C.B. Embry for their efforts to help bring a new judicial center to the citizens of Grayson County."

"The Judicial Branch is responsible for providing citizens with safe, cost-effective buildings where they can conduct court business," said Garlan Vanhook, general manager of facilities for the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Earlier this year, the Grayson County Fiscal Court bought land near Leitchfield Health Care Manor for the new 35,025- square-foot building that will cost $11.5 million to build.

The AOC is the fiscal agent for the Kentucky Court of Justice and oversees construction of court facilities statewide.

Vanhook explained that because new judicial centers often replace older, vastly inadequate facilities, the new buildings greatly increase the efficiency of services and public flow.

All new judicial centers are equipped with the modern infrastructure to support data, computer, video and networking technology.

They also provide the highest level of Kentucky court security through a single-point entry with magnetometers and security personnel.

Vanhook said that once funding is authorized, the AOC Facilities Department begins to work with local communities to assemble the Project Development Board (PDB) in each county.

This board ensures that county and court officials have input on all aspects of the project, including decisions on the site, architect and contractor.

The PDB consists of the county judge executive, a fiscal court representative, the chief circuit judge, the circuit court clerk, the AOC director or designee and a Kentucky Bar Association designee.

The AOC's general manager of facilities and legal counsel serve in an advisory capacity.

Vanhook explained that the AOC provides oversight and administration of court facilities in accordance with House Bill 734, which was passed by the 2000 General Assembly.

"As a result of this legislation, the AOC created a process that would fairly and objectively determine facility needs," he said.

"Our Facilities Management System has earned the Kentucky Court of Justice a national reputation for being able to identify facilities with the greatest needs for new construction, renovation, expansion and adaptation."

Other bills of local interest:

Leitchfield's $3.5 million sewer upgrade project kept the $1.1 million in the State Senate's version of the new state budget.

City officials are hoping for more grant money from other sources, so that less of the remaining $2.4 million bill will have to come from rate payers.

Instead of $8 every four years to renew a drivers license, the General Assembly has tacked on another $12 to the price ($20 total).

It will cost drivers $5 a year to drive instead of the old rate of $2 a year. Drivers licenses must be renewed every four years.

The General Assembly added 27 cents to the current 3-cent tax on each pack of cigarettes. Total tax on a pack will be 30 cents.

Tobacco farmers will get their December Phase II Tobacco Settlement checks, since money has been transferred from the Phase I funds, money set aside to develop alternatives to tobacco crops.

After a year of not knowing when or how much schools could expect from a "governor's spending plan," schools have a base of money with which to plan. The new state budget covers 3 percent pay raises for teachers and keeps health insurance plans.