Jefferson County officials say they have a legal right to more than $188,000 in expenses from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District for the 2004 election.

District Court Judge Dennis Hall on Aug. 16 granted the county's motion for summary judgment, noting the district had signed valid contracts with the county's clerk and recorder to conduct the election there on the district's behalf.

Jefferson County filed the suit in September. Arapahoe County joined the suit in October seeking more than $162,000 from the district for the same election.

The district, though, says not so fast.

In response to the court's order to pay, attorney James Windholz is preparing this week to file a motion to reconsider, citing the fact that he does not believe the two cases were completely joined.

"The case was never consolidated as ordered by the Supreme Court," Windholz said Wednesday.

Jefferson County disagrees.

"The case is over from our perspective," said Jefferson County assistant county attorney Writer Mott.

The SCFD successfully won reauthorization in the November 2004 election to extend a sales tax that funds arts organizations. But the election left the district with $840,000 in bills from the seven participating counties.

Jefferson and Arapahoe counties were the only two of seven in the district to sue for payment. The district has settled with or is in the process of settling with the other five counties. Some bills were negotiated down from the original amounts.

Interest at 8 percent per year has added almost $36,000 to the nearly $150,000 Jefferson County says it is owed by the district, plus $3,200 in costs.

The district paid a small portion of the Jefferson County bills in 2006, but continued to negotiate on reducing charges.

Arapahoe County expects to go to trial in February, said deputy county attorney Jack Bush.