By Chris OrletRecord Managing EditorThree years ago Warren County officials were facing an overcrowding crisis.The Warren County Courthouse, built in 1997 and housing most county offices, the county commissioners chambers, the sheriff’s department and circuit courtrooms was experiencing a severe shortage of space.With a growing population and a need for more circuit court staff, county officials could see the writing on the wall. In 2008, county officials began studying the feasibility of building a new administration building. Aided by the study, officials got creative and began applying for a series of grants to go along with its Capital Improvements Fund, to make the new building a reality.Last month the Missouri Association of Counties, a county government advocacy group, recognized the county for the way it responded to the overcrowding crisis with its Missouri Award for County Excellence.According to MAC, the award recognizes the innovative and creative spirit of Missouri county governments as they find new and effective ways of providing programs and services to their citizens. Judges look for things that are innovative, unique and easily replicated.The 36,000-square-foot administration building, which houses all non-court county offices, was completed in May 2012, at a cost of $6,441,770. In planning the new building, county officials opted to work toward building an energy-efficient building.“I had a chance to visit their new building in October and was impressed with everything I saw. It will serve Warren County citizens very well for many years to come,” said Dick Burke, executive director of Missouri Association of Counties.Funding for the building came largely from a half-cent capital improvement sales tax passed in 1994.The county also secured grants for the emergency operations center and the health department located in the basement of the building as well as grants from Ameren Missouri for energy efficiency.

Chris Orlet Photo.

COUNTY EXCELLENCE AWARD — Warren County received an Award for County Excellence from the Missouri Association of Counties for the new administration building at its annual conference in October. Pictured from left to right are Hubie Kluesner, southern district commissioner; Barb Daly, county cerk; Arden Engelage, presiding commissioner; and Dan Hampson, northern district Commissioner.