The Lancaster County Board on Thursday approved four satellite locations for visiting district  judges who may be in Lincoln to help out with a crowded court docket.

Judge Paul Merritt asked commissioners to approve the locations so that the judges wouldn’t run afoul of a state law that requires all district court proceedings be held at the county seat or a location designated by the county board.

The four locations are: the Welpton Courtroom at the University of Nebraska Law College; Supreme Court hearing rooms at the Capitol; conference rooms of the Nebraska State Bar Association and the Nebraska State Bar Foundation, which are both housed at 635 S. 14th St.; and in a former courtroom at the Old City Hall near Ninth and O streets.

Six judges, with the approval of the Supreme Court, have volunteered time to help with the heavy case load in Lancaster County, Merritt told commissioners at their staff meeting. He said a courtroom does become available on occasion at the courthouse but scheduling can be difficult. Merritt said the other locations should help the situation.

The Supreme Court has approved the use of the visiting judges through next summer. Meanwhile, Merritt said, he and other judges will be asking the Legislature for an eighth judge for the third judicial district.

Commissioner Larry Hudkins said there could be some drawbacks to using the Old City Hall because of lack of adequate parking and the ability to keep court proceedings separate from other offices in the building.

Sheriff Terry Wagner said the satellite courtrooms could present some staffing problems for his office but it depends on the case. He said there are no security checkpoints at those locations, like there are at the county courthouse.

County Board Chairman Bob Workman said the county will need to provide more courtroom space in the the future. He told Merritt that his satellite courtroom plan has the full support of the county board.

In other business, the county board:

*  Received a financing update on its $65 million jail project from Scott Keene with Ameritas Investment Corp. Keene said he anticipates holding a bond sale on Dec. 11. However, that date is contingent on approval of a bond resolution by the county board, city council and the joint public agency.

He told the county board that the municipal bond market is improving but it’s a “day-to-day” event. Keene said most bond sales are being negotiated but there are some competitive sales. 

Keene said the market is not great, but the good news is that interest rates are going down. Keene said the bond sale could be delayed if rates or market conditions are unfavorable in December.

* Approved a $2,000 a month pay increase for Gwen Thorpe, who is serving as interim administrator of Lancaster Manor. Thorpe, the county’s deputy chief administrative officer, took on the additional duties after manor  administrator Ron Fetters resigned last week.

Thorpe’s salary is $75,959. Several commissioners noted that the salary adjustment is appropriate because Thorpe has taken on a job with greater responsibilities.

* Learned that an $311,000 contract has been awarded to ABC Electric Co. of Lincoln for electrical repairs at Lancaster Manor. A water main flooded the boiler room with six feet of water  and severely damaged the main power system in October. Moisture in the circuits and rusted wiring were later found.

Thorpe said parts are being ordered and the work should be completed no later than February.

Commissioners also learned that a water alarm system will be installed in the boiler room area. Also some of the electrical systems may be moved to a higher level to avoid a similar situation in the future.

* Supported a plan by County Engineer Don Thomas to work with Waverly city engineer to develop some type of pedestrian walkway on an existing railroad overpass on Canongate Road in Waverly. Children now walk or ride their bikes on narrow shoulders next to traffic.

* Approved the Visitors Promotion Committee’s recommendations to award grants to the following entities: $25,000 to the City of Lincoln for the Union Plaza project; $10,000 to the Lincoln Children’s Museum to enhance its performing arts stage; $10,000 to Audubon Spring Creek Prairie to develop a  Web site; and $10,000 to the Lincoln Children’s Zoo to expand its squirrel monkey exhibit.

Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 402-473-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com.