By Kathryn F. PickardSpecial toThe South Alabamian

Clarke County Commission-ers gave the go-ahead on the courthouse addition in spite of estimated costs being over budget.

Commissioners had originally agreed to build the courthouse annex, which would include much needed courtrooms, at a cost no higher than $3.175 million.

However when bids came in several weeks ago, the lowest bid was $3.56 million, submitted by JC Duke.

A committee of two commissioners, lawyers and Circuit Judge Harold Crow met with the architects and discussed various options concerning the addition.

County attorney Bruce Wilson told commissioners during Tuesday’s meeting, that with construction costs and the cost of fuel increasing, putting the project on hold was not likely to result in lower costs.

“We could make some cuts, but that would only save us a thousand here and there. The group felt the best alternative was to go with the low bidder. To get within our budget we would get substantially less than what we will need for the future,” Wilson said.

Ellen Toland, county administrator, told commissioners that money would be available for the project from oil and gas taxes that could be used for capital improvement projects.

Commissioners discussed the need for the additional courtroom space and after a long pause, Commissioner Rhondel Rhone finally made the motion to go ahead with the project, allowing J.C. Duke to do the work, and the other commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the project.

The addition will include two new courtrooms on the second floor. The ground floor will include space for the license commissioner, circuit clerk and judges. The existing courthouse would see some renovations that would include a larger meeting space for county commissioners and probate court.