The current courthouse is actually four separate buildings that have been pieced together over several years, said Kevin Hill, the county’s director of general services.

Inmates, judges and some of the staff have to use some of the same entrances, Hill said.

The courthouse is so crowded that “some of our employees are working out of the hallways,” Hernandez said. “Suffice it to say, we have got an obvious space problem.”

That’s why the supervisors are now looking at three options:

» Expanding the Elliott Building of the courthouse at a cost of $15 million, followed by the construction of a new courthouse at a cost of $42 million. This option would require a tax increase, according to a release distributed at Tuesday morning’s news conference.

» Constructing a new building at an undesignated location with a $57 million total cost, including $33 million for construction and $24 million for financing. This option might “necessitate a tax increase,” Hernandez said.