County Court moves back to newly remodeled courthouse

With the final phase of Dodge County’s extensive remodeling project nearing its end the Dodge County District Court left its temporary quarters in the Government Services Building last Friday and moved back to the historic Dodge County Courthouse.
The project, which saw the old Mantorville School turned into the Government Services Building and remodeling to the Courthouse and Annex, has been years in the planning and months in the physical work.
The movers were at the Government Services Building Friday morning to move Judge Jodi Williamson and her staff out of that building and into the remodeled Court Administration area in the Courthouse.
Williamson has been hearing cases in the County Commissioners Boardroom since last October. Williamson and the Court Administration Department have been working out of temporary office space adjacent to the boardroom.
As the court was moving out of the temporary space, the Dodge County Extension Service was moving in, having left their temporary facilities in Dodge Center.
“It’s a remarkable makeover,” Williamson said of her newly-remodeled courtroom.
The courtroom itself has been completely remodeled, the jury room is now larger, the administrative staff has more room and Williamson’s office has been repainted. A separate room has also been constructed next to the courtroom that will allow private viewing of proceedings via closed circuit television for victims.
Security measures have also been upgraded as there is now only one entrance to the public safety area of the courthouse. Visitors will need to pass through a security checkpoint manned by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office before accessing the courtroom, probation services, the county attorney and Drug Court.
A secure elevator has also been installed allowing for better transport of prisoners into the courtroom. There are also secure holding cells and areas where attorneys can meet with their clients.
While Williamson said she is pleased with the new facilities she also said that the temporary set-up proved to work better than expected.
With court being held in the