The Santa Clarita Valley is set to receive a new courthouse, but when that’ll happen was part of the discussion for the Court Facilities Advisory Committee of the Judicial Council of California on Thursday.

At its meeting in San Francisco, the committee unanimously approved for public comment a council draft statewide list, known as the Revision of Prioritization Methodology for Trial Court Capital-Outlay Projects — a list of capital projects prioritized based on needs and costs — a list that included a new Santa Clarita courthouse.

The list shows that the new Santa Clarita courthouse, proposed with 24 courtrooms, would cost about $325.6 million, and is considered to be in “high need.” While that might sound promising for those wanting a new local facility, its ranking actually falls behind 40 other proposals, with a higher priority that received “immediate need” and “critical need” labels. Just behind are 39 others from across California.

The report further details Santa Clarita earned a “needs score” of 11 and a “cost score” of 0.6 for a priority total of 11.6.

Based on the methodology, points earned for needs-based criteria were added by considering facility seismic and other environmental hazards, security, overcrowding and access to court services. The total possible points earned is 25. Cost-based criteria, with 1 point possible, looks into the cost of project per court user and maintenance. These figures are added and grouped by priority, with “immediate need” at 25 possible points at the top of the list and “low need” with points between 0 and 7.4 total.

For perspective, Lake County’s new Lakeport Courthouse is No. 1 on the list with a priority score of 20. With 56 new courthouse constructions and 24 renovation/additions, the total estimated cost of projects is $13.75 billion.

“Although every project on the list is important and needed in their communities, the projects listed as ‘immediate’ and ‘critical’ are considered to be the biggest priorities for the judicial branch at this time,” said council spokesman Blaine Corren. “But this draft statewide list — ‘Proposed Trial Court Capital-Outlay Projects’ — is just the latest step in the process for new courthouse construction.”

Many construction projects, including the Santa Clarita Courthouse — which was due for an upgrade a decade ago — were delayed due to continuous state budget cuts that followed the Great Recession. Despite funding challenges, the judicial branch has overseen the completion of 29 new and renovated California courthouses since 2002, according to the Judicial Council.

The remaining projects, such as Santa Clarita’s, can only move forward if greenlighted by the Legislature.

Based on the methodology, points earned for needs-based criteria were added by considering facility seismic and other environmental hazards, security, overcrowding and access to court services.

The total possible points earned is 25. Cost-based criteria, with 1 point possible, looks into the cost of project per court user and maintenance. These figures are added and grouped by priority, with “immediate need” at 25 possible points at the top of the list and “low need” with points between 0 and 7.4 total.

For perspective, Lake County’s new Lakeport Courthouse is No. 1 on the list with a priority score of 20. With 56 new courthouse constructions and 24 renovation/additions, the total estimated cost of projects is $13.75 billion.

“Although every project on the list is important and needed in their communities, the projects listed as ‘immediate’ and ‘critical’ are considered to be the biggest priorities for the judicial branch at this time,” said council spokesman Blaine Corren. “But this draft statewide list — ‘Proposed Trial Court Capital-Outlay Projects’ — is just the latest step in the process for new courthouse construction.”

Many construction projects, including the Santa Clarita Courthouse — which was due for an upgrade a decade ago — were delayed due to continuous state budget cuts that followed the Great Recession. Despite funding challenges, the judicial branch has overseen the completion of 29 new and renovated California courthouses since 2002, according to the Judicial Council.

The remaining projects, such as Santa Clarita’s, can only move forward if greenlighted by the Legislature.