It’s always nice when several different problems or concerns can all be resolved with a single move. That’s what’s happened over the past couple of months for Taylorsville City, with the relocation of the city’s Justice Court into the West Jordan Justice Center (8040 S. Redwood Road).

Taylorsville Judge Chris Bown recently led Mayor Kristie Overson, city council members and other city officials on a tour of his new digs – in a part of the West Jordan courts building that had been just studs and bare walls. What was “extra” or “surplus” space for West Jordan was, instead, valuable and critical space for Taylorsville.

“Our number one priority in making this move was to increase security in city hall,” Overson said. “But the additional benefits are cost savings and the creation of some much-needed additional space in our building.”

Prior to this move, Taylorsville was the only city in Salt Lake County that did not provide a separate, secure entrance for defendants and attorneys into their courtroom.

“Relocating the Taylorsville Justice Court to the West Jordan City Hall campus provides significant security improvements,” City Attorney Tracy Cowdell said. “It also benefits attorneys who frequently appear in both courts by consolidating those appearances in a single location.”

Bown and his Justice Court operations actually shifted down to West Jordan last fall. But it took time for construction to be completed in what is now the official space for the Taylorsville Court.

“We are splitting the cost with West Jordan to build out the new Justice Court area,” Taylorsville City Administrator John Taylor explained. “In exchange for that investment, West Jordan has agreed to allow Taylorsville to use the space for our Justice Court, in perpetuity, rent free.”

Over the years, Taylor says the city will save money with the move. Additional cost savings are also now being had as the Taylorsville court shares administrative support and office resources with West Jordan. 

Like the other Taylorsville City officials, Police Chief Brady Cottam is also pleased to see the increased security and cost savings. But over and above that, he’s also thrilled about that big, open space at the east end of city hall.

“Our Taylorsville Police Department has had growing problems since we first opened (July 1, 2021),” Cottam said. “I have two lieutenants who each have more than 20 years of law enforcement experience and they have to share an office. They aren’t complaining and neither am I. But I believe our police department will be allowed to occupy part or all of that vacated space, and that will be very helpful.”

Cottam says, so far, no official office space has been designated for any of his personnel in the vacant court area. But TVPD has already made use of the space for various training sessions and employee applicant interviews.

“Their building (the West Jordan Justice Center) is beautiful and very secure; that’s the first thing you notice as you walk in,” Overson said, after touring the new courtroom. “As I was looking around, it just felt like everything had collided at the right time. We wanted more security and more efficient tax dollar spending. We also greatly needed a little more space in our city hall, while West Jordan had this extra space. Everything just fit together well.”

Overson also adds, while the Taylorsville Justice Court has been operating 25 blocks south in West Jordan for several months now, she’s not heard any complaints from anyone about the move. 

City officials have not yet decided exactly how much remodeling work will be necessary in the vacated courtroom space to better accommodate police department and other needs. But Overson expects those designs to be completed soon and hopes construction work can begin sometime this summer.

The Taylorsville Justice Court handles infractions, Class B and C misdemeanors and small claims of $15,000 or less. The court also performs the occasional marriage ceremony, by appointment.