Published: January 09, 2009 12:31 am         

Court moving to Vigo Community Corrections building

TERRE HAUTE — Title IV-D Court, which deals with cases of non-payment of child support, will be moved from Terre Haute City Hall to the Vigo County Community Corrections Building into a former temporary courtroom.

The courtroom, built during interior renovation of the county courthouse, had been used for Vigo County Superior Court Division 2. With renovation complete, Division 2 court has been moved back into the courthouse. County Commissioner Paul Mason said the move will allow the IV-D court to remain open for longer hours.

That court, which now shares the city courtroom, is in session from 1:30 to about 3 p.m., depending on the number of cases, Monday through Thursday.

“I think the main thing is now [IV-D] can only use the city courtroom in the afternoon and with the move the court could be open much longer,” Mason said. “Everything is there for [Title IV-D] court now. We have a security system there and some of the funds from this court could go toward paying a security person.”

The State of Indiana reimburses the county up to 66 percent of salaries for personnel assisting the IV-D court, said Title IV-D Commissioner Sarah Mullican.

Mullican said several details are yet to be completed, such as getting offices organized, but said the court may move into the Community Corrections building in February. Mullican said the court will be open the same hours as Vigo County courts throughout the week, allowing the IV-D court to hear more cases and collect more child support. The court will occupy 3,003 square feet.

The court is based on Title IV-D of the Social Security Act of 1975, which requires states to enforce child support.

A portion of the former superior court, specifically the judge’s chamber and jury room, will be leased as part of a 2,589-square-foot area to the Terre Haute law firm Fleschner, Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos and Newlin. While a lease has not been finalized, the law firm is to lease what is now unfinished space for $9 per square foot, said County Attorney Bob Wright, and pay a proportion of utilities.

The law firm is seeking a five-year lease with options for two lease extensions, he said.

In a related issue, the County Council this week voted to restructure a 10-year lease/purchase agreement on the community corrections building.

Originally, the county had intended to use more than $500,000 from the Indiana Department of Correction to make an early payment on the lease/purchase to lower monthly costs, however the funds were largely used for a new security system and furniture for the building.

The new lease extends the lease an additional five years, but does not change the monetary amount of $476,484 annually, which is $39,707 monthly. The lease is with Famco Fabrication Works LLC, with the county assuming ownership at the end of the lease.

The Community Corrections building, in addition to the Title IV-D court and law firm, houses offices for Adult Probation, Vigo County Alcohol and Drug program, State Parole office, as well as Community Corrections.

Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com