County Courthouse renovations planned to ease crowding

When Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito has his morning briefing with staff and law enforcement officers, everyone packs into his office or a small conference room on the courthouses seventh floor.

When theres a trial, prosecution witnesses often stand around the pit, a central open area where victim/witness coordinators are located, waiting to be called into the courtroom.

The noisein the pit can getso loud that the coordinators have trouble hearing when they make phone calls, oftento convey sensitive information to victims or witnesses.

They can hardly hear with the sound going on, Twito said.

The footprint of the county attorneys offices has not changed in about 20 years, Twito said, but his department has grownto include more attorneys and staff and a heavier caseload.

Twito said hes desperate for conference rooms for families, victims and meetings.

When deputy attorneys need a conference room, they can either use the small meeting room or bump their boss from his personal office, which has a medium-sized round table. Twito picks up his laptop and clears out.

For times when a big conference room is essential when there are multiple trials or for large staff meetings Twito reserves Room 105 on the first floor. He uses the first-floor room four or five times a month, he said.

'Space wars'

To relieve crowding in the county attorneys offices and to address space needs for several other county offices, the county commissioners are considering a proposal that calls for some courthouse remodeling as well as construction of a new building at MetraPark. The plan is estimated to cost $1.4 million.

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County Courthouse renovations planned to ease crowding