The Moore County Board of Commissioners has agreed to hire a consultant to study the county's courthouse short-term and long-term needs. At a Monday night meeting the board also voted to locate any courtroom facility adjacent to or near the new detention center.

Both measures were recommendations of the Courthouse Facilities Advisory Committee chaired by Superior Court Judge James M. Webb.

However, the board voted against a third recommendation that would delay a decision about placement of a government office building until the consultant has completed the study.

Board members did not agree on two other measures involving county facilities. The commissioners voted 3-2 against a motion to amend the architect's contract to design the office building at the Carriage Oaks Complex, then voted 3-2 in favor of a motion to place the office building on the Grimm property in downtown Carthage, the same tract where the jail expansion is planned.

The five commissioners did agree on another building matter. They voted unanimously to send another architect's schematic drawings of the jail/public safety complex to a special committee already appointed and to wait on the committee's recommendation before accepting the design.

More details will appear in the print version of The Pilot.