The price of justice just went up in Broward County in a big way and taxpayers won't get a say in it.
The County Commission voted Tuesday to move forward with a $328 million proposal for a new courthouse instead of going to the ballot box for voter approval. That translates to about $8 more on tax bills starting this year or next, reports the Sun-Sentinel.
The current courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale still has sections from its original design in the 1950s. Judges and attorneys have complained that the building is in major need of repair and constant floods and electrical issues over the past year provided plenty of evidence.
The new building would be built on a county-owned lot near the current site. It will house 74 courtrooms and judicial chambers, secure corridors for prisoners and judges, and space for clerk of court and prosecutor offices. There will also be a new parking garage to solve the current gridlock of traffic around the judicial complex
Construction of the building could begin next year.
