Commission OKs funds for more jurors

The Cole County Commission has added money to the budget to pay for the cost of jurors, since more jury trials are taking place this year.

Commissioners on Wednesday added the recommended $30,000 to the budget. It was noted that the money may not be needed should the trials scheduled for later this year not take place.

Cole County Court Administrator John Riley said so far they've had 20 jury trials and 15 more are scheduled for the rest of the year.

That's more than all of last year and the year before.

Riley also said juror pay makes up 84 percent of his budget.

The commission had budgeted $50,000 to pay for jurors this year. The county had used $47,000 as of Wednesday, Riley said.

Last year the county budgeted $70,000 for juror pay, an increase that was deemed necessary primarily due to the double murder trial of Dennis Hosier, which required bringing in a jury from another county and sequestering them in a hotel for a week.

Not only does this money pay for jurors brought in for criminal and civil trials, but it's also used to pay grand jury members.

Riley said it usually costs $1,300 to bring in a jury panel to be picked for a trial.

Also at Wednesday's commission meeting, commissioners approved agreements with the Community Health Center to bring in a dental clinic at the county Health Department on Industrial Drive.

The clinic will be held on Mondays, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., starting Aug. 18.

Services that will be provided include extractions, cleanings and X-rays.