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1 . Parks and Open Space <br /> A new category that has been titled " Parks/Open Space " was created to more <br /> accurately capture the department ' s evolutionary role . Parks is coupled with the <br /> Environment Resource Conservation Department ( ERCD ) as one with whom <br /> adjacency would be most beneficial . <br /> 2 . Agriculture Services <br /> The Agriculture Services function has also- been added to more accurately reflect <br /> the focus of departments who would remain at the current Planning and <br /> Agriculture Building . Agriculture Services departments would include <br /> Cooperative Extension and Soil and Water , as well as USDA Rural Development <br /> and the Farm Service Agency , two non - County programs currently at the <br /> Planning and Ag Building , <br /> 3 . Animal Services <br /> The Animal Services functional group was added in order to acknowledge the <br /> County ' s new and expanded role in this area . While the Animal. Shelter building <br /> has always been a County facility , the County also assumed operation of the <br /> Shelter in July 2004 . This group includes the Animal Shelter , Animal Control and <br /> the Animal Services Director . <br /> Functions Not Included In Study <br /> Jail and Court functions . <br /> Expansion of approximately 25 , 000 square feet to the Courthouse is currently <br /> under design pursuant to the recommendations included in the Justice Facilities <br /> Reports , as written in 1995 and updated in 1998 . The new addition will house <br /> both court offices and the Sheriffs Department . Additional future expansion of <br /> the Courthouse is not contemplated , however , long term space needs of the <br /> court system may be met through reallocation of County office space in <br /> downtown Hillsborough as court needs dictate and as new County facilities are <br /> brought on line . The first such step will occur when space vacated by the <br /> Sheriffs office is reallocated to accommodate court- related functions . <br /> Chapel Hill Court Facilities <br /> Two additional facilities are utilized in order to deliver court services in Chapel <br /> Hill : the Old Post Office , owned by the Town of Chapel Hill and located on <br /> Franklin Street and the Moody Building in Carrboro , which has been leased by <br /> the County for ancillary court services since 1987 . Additional study regarding the <br /> long -term accommodations for court services in southern Orange should be <br /> initiated . However , cost implications of providing adequate school and county <br /> facilities , in addition to funding the expansion of the Hillsborough court facility <br /> dictate that construction of court facilities in southern Orange be considered <br /> beyond the scope of this study period . <br /> III <br />