Aiken County officials learned Tuesday another County building has become a topic of concern to many because of limited space.
County Magistrate Carl Insley told officials and members of County Council's Judicial and Public Safety Committee that the County's Traffic Court building, the former County jail next to the Sheriff's Office on Hampton Avenue, is unable to hold the amount of cases that the court is taking in.
"On Thursday, we had 335 cases that morning," Insley said. "It's kind of hard to get people inside and come into the courtroom when you can't (even) fit them in the lobby and then the courtroom."
Insley asked staff whether Traffic Court could be moved into the former County Government Complex on Richland Avenue.
County Administrator Clay Killian said he didn't think that would work, because although there is "more space," there are still issues with that building, which include sewer problems.
Insley then suggested using the old voter registration building, also on Richland Avenue.
Killian said that building, though again much bigger, has a small parking lot to handle the amount of people driving to Traffic Court.
Aside from space, Insley also asked that officials look at replacing some of the constable vehicles and walkie-talkies in the next budget year.
For some time, the County has been aware of space issues in most of the County's oldest buildings.
Just last week, County Probate Judge Sue Roe, Clerk of Court Liz Godard and Second Solicitor J. Strom Thurmond Jr. told Council that staff is cramped inside the Aiken County Judicial Center on Park Avenue.
"It's evident their (other municipalities) governing bodies, No. 1, have the resources to do the necessary repairs (on their courthouses), which we may not have at this time," Roe said. "But, hopefully, we will have in the future."
Roe also pointed to issues with paint peeling off walls, a leaky roof, and possible mold and mildew underneath the carpet.
During Council's Tuesday work session, Assistant County Administrator Brian Sanders updated Council on the status of surplus furniture in the former government complex. Despite letting nonprofits, the Aiken County School District and others mull through furniture, Sanders said "there is still a lot in there."
To get rid of the rest of the furniture, Sanders suggested to Council hiring an auction house.
"We've never done this before. ... With Council's blessing, I'd like to investigate this further and maybe pursue this to make a little money," Sanders said.
Maayan Schechter is the local government reporter with Aiken Standard. Follow her on Twitter @MaayanSchechter.