Technological and electronic improvements in two courtrooms, which would include mounted plasma televisions, are under consideration by Douglas County District Court and county commissioners.

The televisions and other electronic devices would make it easier for attorneys to show evidence to juries and judges by better using DVDs, VCRs, document cameras and computer software, court officials said during today’s commission meeting.

“It makes things move a lot faster and efficiently,” said Administrative Judge Robert Fairchild.

The cost of outfitting two courtrooms with the new equipment would not exceed a total of $57,821, according to estimates prepared by the court and Jackie Waggoner, county purchasing director.

The first two courtrooms that would receive the equipment would be Fairchild’s, which is one of the smallest of the courtrooms, and that of the judge pro-tem, which is currently under going major renovation.

The equipment could be purchased through a state-selected contractor, Mission Electronics Inc., of Lenexa. Commissioners were asked to waive the formal bidding process and authorize use of the state contractor.

Updating the first two courtrooms would be the first step in a long-term phase-in of more modern technology in the other courtrooms, Fairchild said. While funding is available for the project, funds would have to be set aside for updating future courtrooms, he said.

Commissioners, however, delayed acting on the request. They said they wanted to have a cost estimate for installing the equipment in all of the district’s seven courtrooms.

“I’m not opposed to it, but I don’t like the idea of not knowing what the whole picture looks like,” Commissioner Charles Jones said.

More cost estimates will be presented to commissioners in the near future.