Barry County Commissioners approved the final drawings for improvements to the Barry County Circuit Courtroom Tuesday. Bob Van Putten of Landmark Design Group will now seek competitive bids for the construction work that includes improvements in the court’s holding area, courtroom and security entrance.

Van Putten brought two changes to the plan; an added door to the security area and a half wall to provide more space between the jury and public seating area. Commissioners Vivian Conner and Jim Dull voted no. Commmissioners Ben Geiger, Craig Stolsonburg, Jon Smelker, David Jackson and Howard Gibson voted yes,

In the plans, the jury box was moved to the opposite side of the courtroom to avoid prisoners being in close proximity to the jury when they are brought into the courtroom. The jury will now walk in front of the spectators to go to the jury box. Conner said she didn’t like the possibility for jury intimidation by spectators as jurors filed by; Dull did not give a reason for his vote.

Commissioner Jon Smelker also said he could see the possibliity of intimidation by someone in the audience. The half wall was added to address that concern, he was told.

The commission approved paying $308,000 for the project in July.

In a short special meeting immediately after the committee of the whole meeting, the commission paid the bills.