An independent consultant has advised the Moore County Board of Commissioners that the need for courts facility space is “serious and urgent.”

Steve Allen, president of Solutions for Local Government Inc., also estimated that construction of a 116,700-square-foot facility to meet those needs would cost more than $21.7 million, not including the cost for expanding parking.

During the three and a half-hour long meeting Monday night, the special courts facility space needs committee renewed its request that the board consider not proceeding with plans for a county administrative office building until the best location is determined for new and expanded court facilities.

“We are in a dire condition right now,” said District Court Judge Jayrene Maness, a committee member.

Maness explained that Superior Court Judge James Webb, who formed the committee, was tied up in a lengthy trial in Winston-Salem and was unable to attend the commissioners’ meeting.

The board took no action on the matter but thanked Allen and the committee for their hard work.

In other business the board heard a report from Dr. John Monroe about the problems caused by deer hunters who use dogs but do not obey the law. Monroe asked the board to write the local legislative delegation and ask that hunting deer with dogs be prohibited in Moore County.

The commissioners expressed sympathy with his concern but declined to take action.

Early in the meeting, during the public comment period, 10 persons expressed their views about the issue with only one person expressing agreement with Monroe.

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