The County Legislature took its show on the road on Wednesay, holding its regular full body meeting at the Oakfield Community and Government Center.
It was a chance for the Town of Oakfield to show off its expanded and remodeled Town Hall.
Barry Flansburg, town accessor, said town officials wanted the new facility to be more than just a town hall, instead one could host multiple agencies and services as well as community groups and serve as an emergency command center if needed.
That's why it's called, now, officially, the Community and Government Center.
"This is the ultimate shared facility," Flansburg said.
As an example for the planned flexibility, Flansburg noted, the panel seating area has 10 chairs, not just the five necessary for the town board. This gives the Legislature room to meet there, and it also allows all town officials a seat at the table, so to speak, for town meetings, which Flansburg said helps foster better communication and collaboration.
The new courts facility not only hosts the Town of Oakfield Town Court but the Town of Elba's, as well. The facility is certificated to a standard that it could host the County Court if ever required to do so.
The board just approved on Tuesday night a request by the court of the Town of Alabama to hold a jury trial in the courtroom next month, since Alabama's court isn't really well suited to jury trials.
There is also a small kitchen (and break room for staff) that will be available to community and civic groups that want to use the community/meeting room for events or meetings.
The highway department also has expanded space and motion-controlled LED lights have been installed in the bays.
Flansburg said that when visitors come into the town offices, they notice that all of the officials have offices and desk space no bigger than what they had before and are surprised.
"This wasn't about giving us bigger offices," Flansburg said. "This is a community space and we wanted it to be for the whole community."
The offices did receive new carpet, wallpaper, paint and fixtures. There's also improved security in the foyer.
The project cost $3.1 million. The town planned it for eight years, saved money to help fund it, and are able to pay the bonds through existing cash flow and the rent the Town of Elba pays for the courtroom. There is no new tax burden on Town residents to pay for the facility, Flansburg said.
