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In the context of a $141.7 million budget for West Virginia's judicial system, a $32,000 sectional sofa may not seem significant. Neither may $1,700 worth of pillows or $28,000 for two area rugs.
But the view of most Mountain State residents probably is something else. Many would be delighted to have $32,000 to buy new furnishings and appliances for their entire homes. With that much, some might reflect, that pricey home theater system could just be a possibility.
According to a published report, the state Supreme Court has spent more than $3.7 million on renovations to its offices since 2009. The cost originally was estimated at about $900,000.
Here are a few of the items that drove the price up:
– A sectional sofa, at nearly $32,000, in Chief Justice Alen Loughry's office, plus $1,700 spent for throw pillows.
– $16,374 for eight office chairs in Loughry's office.
– Custom flooring for the chief justice's office, featuring a wooden inlay in the shape of the state, with different-colored woods for each county except Loughry's home, Tucker. That county is in granite. The flooring cost $7,500.
– A chair for Justice Robin Jean Davis, costing $8,098. Davis has said she needs the special chair because of arthritis in her spine.
– Two area rugs in Davis' office, priced at $28,194. Davis has said they are high quality, expected to last 50 years.
– $11,035 worth of carpet for Justice Menis Ketchum's office.
– A sofa costing $8,892 in Justice Margaret Workman's office.
There is some disagreement about how some of the more outrageous purchases were authorized. Loughry blames the Supreme Court's former administrator, Steve Canterbury, who was fired 10 months ago. Loughry told one reporter he had "very little" input into the renovation project, which had been in progress for years when he was elected to the high court.
Canterbury disagrees, telling a reporter Loughry had a great deal to do with decisions about his office.
Clearly, however, there was a substantial amount of extravagant spending involved, whomever decided on it.
We suspect many West Virginians understand it is important for justices of the state's highest court to operate in an environment that reflects their importance.
But the justices also are expected to be good stewards of the public's money.
And given the fact even the least expensive office renovation involved -- Justice Workman's, at a total of $111,035 -- cost more than most entire homes in the state, West Virginians can be pardoned for wondering whether some of the frills we bought for the court were really necessary.