Local court officials are still considering their space problems, and haven't yet made a request to the county about how to solve them.

County Mayor Eugene Ray told the county commission's courthouse and property committee Tuesday night that the court system will probably propose both a temporary and a long-term solution to the problem. Temporary solutions may include occasional use of the City of Shelbyville's courtroom for some proceedings. Chancellor J.B. Cox also assured Ray that his courtroom on the third floor can be used by other courts when necessary.

It's a complex issue, one which involves everything from security issues to the wishes of merchants on the square:

* Judicial officials say they need more space and more courtrooms.

* The existing courthouse is full, and court officials say it would be difficult to bring it up to modern security standards. For example, installation of a walk-through metal detector would require closing all but one entrance to the facility so that people would be forced to enter from that direction. That would mean that even visitors to the county mayor's office or the election office would have to pass through the detector.

* The county jail is also full, and some county commissioners have talked about building a "justice center" which would combine jail and courtroom facilities on one campus. That has benefits because inmates don't have to be transported.

* Some county offices are currently renting space, including five departments in the US Bank building, and some commissioners would like to find a way to put them in county-owned space instead.

* Downtown merchants are firmly opposed to any proposal to move the court system or the county offices very far from the square, saying the traffic they generate is essential to preservation of the downtown area.

* The county has surplus real estate, such as the soon-to-be vacant campus of Bedford County Medical Center and site of the old Harris Middle School, but none of it is near the square. Commissioners have talked about available lots near the square, but it's not certain what the financial implications would be or whether the lots would be large enough for a complete justice center.

* The county is currently in the middle of an expensive school building program, and with questions about the economy it's possible that money for major new projects will be tight.

Right now, the courthouse committee is still waiting for a formal recommendation from the judicial system. In the meantime, the county may be eligible for up to $6,000 in grant money for security improvements. The county would have to match only 10 percent of the grant, or $600.

In other discussion at Tuesday night's meeting:

* Committee members voted to refer to the full commission, and to the financial management committee, a proposal to sell a house on North Main Street. The house, jointly owned by the city and county, was once the home of the Child Development Center and later was used by law enforcement as a place to privately and securely interview victims of child abuse. The county is not using it any more and a local real estate agent has asked that it be put on the market.

If the city and county agree to sell the building, it would have to be sold either by auction or sealed bid, and no individual buyer would have precedence.

* The committee gave its endorsement to allowing Bedford County Sheriff's Department to loan a surplus vehicle to the Town of Bell Buckle for three months. The town is going to employ a police officer for the first time and wants to borrow a vehicle for a three-month trial.

* The committee recommended that the county pay its half of some exterior maintenance costs at the Child Development Center / Community Development Center facility on Eaglette Way. The facility is jointly owned by the city and county, which are responsible for exterior maintenance. CDC has apologized for having the maintenance work done without asking for permission first.

* Probation Director Rory Griffy requested a vehicle for his office, to be used for routine business and for visits to those on probation. The office generates enough in enhanced supervision fees and other revenue to pay for the vehicle and its operation. The committee endorsed the request and passed it on to the full commission and the financial management committee.