Jefferson County Judge Yates speaks on need for new courthouse and jail

(Hillsboro) It’s been discussed many times over the years…Jefferson County needs to replace the county jail and aging courthouse. Carl “Wes” Yates spent several years as the Jefferson County Counselor prior to his recent appointment as Associate Judge in the 23rd Judicial Circuit. Yates says the jail has its problems with space and inadequacies.

Yates says the courthouse is in rough shape in many areas of the structure.

Yates says he knows full well, what could happen if changes are not made.

The obvious choice would be for the county administration to ask for a tax increase to help pay for the new facilities, but nothing has been finalized. The county has taken certain steps for future possibilities such as purchasing land on the north side of Hillsboro for a possible new jail site. The prosed area would be located near the Juvenile Detention Center.