Washoe judges want new courthouse

Sunday, May 28, 2000 | 1:57 a.m.

The judges will ask county commissioners Tuesday to put the question on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Judge Jim Hardesty acknowledged the price tag is steep, but said the investment makes a lot more sense than repairing the current courthouse and leasing office space.

"If you just patch and patch and jury-rig, you've spent $80 million and have virtually nothing to show for it," Hardesty told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

If approved, the $75 million would cost taxpayers about $20 for every $100,000 in property value.

Washoe County already has a $38.3 million bond issue on this year's ballot for parks, trails, open space and libraries.

Commissioner Joanne Bond said she's concerned about the $75 million price tag for the new courthouse.

"I don't know if voters will go for it," she said.

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