Council approves up to $65,000 for security equipment as municipal court moves to town hall; seeks county reimbursement
October 20, 2025 | Jackson, Teton County, Wyoming
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The Jackson Town Council on Oct. 20 approved the purchase of security screening equipment and related items for the temporary relocation of municipal court to the Town Council chambers and directed staff to request reimbursement from Teton County.
Town Manager Maggie Sinclair told the council that the county’s demolition of the Clifford P. Hansen Courthouse requires interim arrangements for municipal court and victim services. Victim services are proposed for the County General Services Building; municipal court cannot be accommodated in the county’s temporary modular court buildings and is proposed to be held in the Town Council chambers for roughly the next two to three years.
Staff recommended acquiring an x‑ray machine (estimated about $36,000), magnetometer, metal-detection wands and related screening infrastructure, plus movable partitions and audience seating to fit court proceedings in the chamber. Staff estimated the total cost at approximately $62,830 and requested authority “not to exceed $65,000” to allow for procurement variability and lead times.
Council voted unanimously to approve the purchase in an amount not to exceed $65,000. Council later voted unanimously to direct staff to request that Teton County reimburse the town for the equipment and associated expenses. Several councilors said they expected the county, which is proceeding with demolition and new justice center construction, to share responsibility for interim costs produced by relocating services.
Council also asked staff to track all costs associated with the county demolition of the Hansen Courthouse (hard costs, soft costs and staff hours). Councilor Schechter moved — and council approved unanimously — a separate motion directing staff to track those costs for future review.
The equipment would be staged in the town hall lobby and chamber on court days (typically three Wednesdays per month and additional dates as needed) and stored on rollers when not in use, staff said. Two sworn town police officers will continue to serve as bailiffs; no additional bailiff positions were approved at this meeting.
Next steps: Staff will place orders to meet equipment lead times and send a reimbursement request to Teton County as directed by council.
Town Manager Maggie Sinclair told the council that the county’s demolition of the Clifford P. Hansen Courthouse requires interim arrangements for municipal court and victim services. Victim services are proposed for the County General Services Building; municipal court cannot be accommodated in the county’s temporary modular court buildings and is proposed to be held in the Town Council chambers for roughly the next two to three years.
Staff recommended acquiring an x‑ray machine (estimated about $36,000), magnetometer, metal-detection wands and related screening infrastructure, plus movable partitions and audience seating to fit court proceedings in the chamber. Staff estimated the total cost at approximately $62,830 and requested authority “not to exceed $65,000” to allow for procurement variability and lead times.
Council voted unanimously to approve the purchase in an amount not to exceed $65,000. Council later voted unanimously to direct staff to request that Teton County reimburse the town for the equipment and associated expenses. Several councilors said they expected the county, which is proceeding with demolition and new justice center construction, to share responsibility for interim costs produced by relocating services.
Council also asked staff to track all costs associated with the county demolition of the Hansen Courthouse (hard costs, soft costs and staff hours). Councilor Schechter moved — and council approved unanimously — a separate motion directing staff to track those costs for future review.
The equipment would be staged in the town hall lobby and chamber on court days (typically three Wednesdays per month and additional dates as needed) and stored on rollers when not in use, staff said. Two sworn town police officers will continue to serve as bailiffs; no additional bailiff positions were approved at this meeting.
Next steps: Staff will place orders to meet equipment lead times and send a reimbursement request to Teton County as directed by council.
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