Technological and electronic improvements in two courtrooms, which would include mounted 50-inch plasma TVs, are under consideration by Douglas County District Court and county commissioners.

The televisions and other 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 Monday’s commission meeting.

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

The cost of outfitting two courtrooms with the equipment would be $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 courtrooms, and that of the judge pro-tem, which is undergoing major renovation.

In some of the courtrooms it is often difficult to position televisions on stands so that all parties involved in the case can see videos or slides showing evidence. Sometimes the jurors can see them but attorneys and judges can’t, Fairchild said.

The equipment could be purchased through a state contractor, Mission Electronics Inc., of Lenexa. Commissioners were asked to waive the bid process and use 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 other courtrooms, he said.

But commissioners delayed acting on the request. They said they wanted to have a cost estimate for installing the equipment in all 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.

Commissioners also:

¢ Approved a conditional use permit for a retail nursery at 264 E. 2100 Road owned by William Voigts Jr.

¢ Approved an amended conditional use permit allowing more interior space at Stony Point Hall, 1514 N. 600 Road, owned by Russell M. Carlson. Commissioners approve the original permit in March 2006.

¢ Reached a cooperative agreement with Baldwin City to rebuild and improve a section of Sixth Street, which also is County Road 1055. The agreement still has to be approved by the Baldwin City Council, which will discuss it during its meeting Nov. 19.

The agreement calls for the county to pay 50 percent of construction costs except for sidewalk and utility relocation. The county and city will each pay 50 percent of engineering design and construction inspection costs. The estimated total cost for the county would be $523,780 and $610,696 for Baldwin City. Construction is planned for 2008.