FARMINGTON – Franklin County commissioners signed a letter of intent Tuesday to work with Smith Reuter Lull Architects of Lewiston to develop a comprehensive plan for space and structural needs at the county jail and courthouse.

Commissioners voted April 8 to hire the firm for the project after a county committee recommended them after interviewing four firms.

The firm’s proposal includes a range of fees totaling $31,500.

The fee proposals are $8,200 for electrical, mechanical and energy assessment; $1,800 for site selection and analysis; $4,500 for interviewing users and developing a building program; $13,500 for concept designs and other related matters; and $3,500 for grant writing and funding strategies.

Architect James Reuter said they plan to meet with each department to determine needs, including what should be done with the courtroom on the second floor of the courthouse building.

John Cleveland, owner of Community Dynamics Inc. who happens to also be the Androscoggin County register of probate, writes grants for certain projects for the firm and plans to explore funding opportunities.

A discussion that needs to happen, Cleveland said, is to discuss county courtroom use with judicial representatives.

Few Franklin County Superior Court cases have been conducted in that courtroom recently. Most of those cases, except for jury trials and a few civil cases, are currently heard across the street at the renovated state-owned 12th District Court and Superior Court building.

However, the state building has no room for a jury while the county courtroom has been renovated to better accommodate a jury.

“I think we need to determine how we use the space,” Cleveland said.

The judicial branch has a state facility fund and Cleveland said he plans to find out if the fund could be used to make improvements in the county courtroom.

County Commissioner Gary McGrane of Jay said he wants see the firm look at energy efficiency, including for the county building.

That is already included in the first stage, Reuter said.

Firm representative Stephanie Lull said that the structure, heating and environmental efficiencies are all integral to the study.

Commissioner Fred Hardy of New Sharon also asked about a site selection in the second stage. If anything was going to be built, Hardy said, it would be on the 14 acres the county owns that currently has the sheriff’s office and dispatch center as well as the jail.

“It would make it easier for us to manage costs,” McGrane said.

Commissioners also accepted a 15-member committee to work with the firm on the project.

On that committee are Hardy, Treasurer Karen Robinson, Clerk Julie Magoon, Register of Probate Joyce Morton, Register of Deeds Susan Black, Emergency Management Director Tim Hardy, Sheriff Dennis Pike and sheriff representatives Lt. Niles Yeaton, Chief Deputy Raymond Meldrum, office manager Penny Camfferman, dispatch supervisor Melinda Caton, Clerk of Courts Vicki Hardy, Assistant District Attorney James Andrews, and Budget Committee members David Archer and Stephan Bunker.