The courthouse needs increased security to protect its public officials, said County Board Chairman Robert Webb at the County Board meeting Tuesday night.

Members of the board considered possibilities for increasing security in the courthouse. Sheriff Ron Scott is looking into possibilities for implementing more security in the courthouse.

“Security is the sheriff’s responsibility, but paying for it is the County Board’s responsibility,” Webb said.

Webb suggested having a court fee for people who commit felonies to assist in paying for courtroom security.

“It is kind of a poetic justice,” Webb said.

The courthouse may be remodeled in the future with more security features, and an extra facility may be necessary in the future because of the strain on space at the courthouse, Webb said. The sheriff has been asked to consider what type of security will be needed during remodeling and what will be needed in the new facility.

It also is important to consider citizens when deciding how to implement new security measures, Webb said. For the last 100 years, people have been able to walk through all four doors of the courthouse, and the County Board needs to know how the public would feel if that were to change.

“These are important things we have to consider,” Webb said.

The County Board also tabled a resolution to amend this year’s budget to give $16,000 to the sheriff’s office for the crisis response team.

In other business, the County Board voted to transfer service from TCI to Mediacom as the cable television franchise for the unincorporated areas of the county. County board member Tim Yow said this is already a familiar company that is known for quality.

“We had no reasonable reason not to accept,” Yow said.