A Lauderdale County grand jury rendered a report citing critical problems at the county courthouse, urging officials to address ongoing concerns with the aging structure.

According to the report, dated March 22, the grand jury recommended that the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors “continue to explore ways of renovating the courthouse and what to do with the employees during the the renovation.”

Other items listed in the report include: the law library is inadequate; the third-floor courtroom needs to be updated; the privacy between offices and courtrooms needs to be addressed; parking is insufficient at the courthouse and downtown; the courthouse was clean; there are obvious issues with mold and mildew in the courthouse; and the staff were pleasant and helpful.

While the board spent the latter part of last year hoping to relocate to the J.C. Penney building at Bonita Lakes Mall as a temporary location while the courthouse was renovated, supervisors now hope to obtain the old federal courthouse building — now home to the United States Post Office — as a starting point for the estimated $40 million courthouse renovation project.

The county would use at least two floors of the building while the post office would continues to operate on the bottom floor.

Lauderdale County Administrator Chris Lafferty said the board is still working with the postal service and hopes to have an answer in the near future.

But when you’re working with the federal government, it takes time, he said.

“The board is working diligently to come to a solution,” said Lafferty, who in a previous report said relocating to the federal courthouse would be a “win-win” for everyone, especially because it would support downtown activity. “The board is pretty adamant… The only way they want that building is if the post office stays in it to stay downtown and support downtown.”

The grand jury report also addressed issues with the Lauderdale County Jail. According to the report, the recommendation is that a new jail be built “outside of the downtown area.” 

“The staff was friendly. The jail was clean,” the report said. “There needs to be more money allotted to help employ more deputies. The size of the offices is in adequate. The drainage system in the ‘free area’ needs to be repaired. The rust in the cells needs to be addressed. The Grand Jury recommends a concrete floor in a new jail.”