Old Ozark County Courthouse elevator to get major upgrade soon

A major overhaul of the courthouse elevator will take it to another level.

Ozark County Commissioners voted May 30 to accept a $83,983.12 bid from Kone Elevators of Springfield for a major upgrade of the aging elevator.

“It’s going to bring it into the 21st century,” said County Clerk Brian Wise.

Kone was the only bidder as commissioners had advertised for bids for the elevator upgrade.

The improvements will include all new electronics, switches a microprocessor and a new machine room as well as a speakerphone inside the elevator along with new emergency lighting and other upgrades.

Inspectors told commissioners that the power unit and hydraulics of the elevator didn’t need replacing, and that if a problem with them did arise in the future, parts could be obtained for repairs.

Commissioners were informed by inspectors that the electronics of the aging elevator were obsolete and that parts were no longer available for it.

Presiding County Commissioner Terry Newton said work should start on the elevator in the weeks to come as contracts are signed.

In other business during the commissioners’ May 30 meeting, another bid was opened and accepted. This time it was from Custom Heating & Cooling of Mountain Home, Ark., for HVAC replacement at the sheriff’s department. Custom Heating & Cooling was the only bidder, so their bid of $33,691.22 was approved unanimously by all three commissioners.

Commissioners also voted to advertise for bids for a new patrol vehicle for the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Cass Martin said one of their patrol trucks is having transmission issues and needs to be replaced. Martin wants to replace the truck with a Ford Explorer, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol has two available for purchase. Both are 2020 Explorers with around 64,000 miles on them for $29,700. There would be additional costs to outfit the vehicle for the sheriff’s department.

Commissioners plan to advertise for bids for two weeks, which is required by law, including an ad in the Ozark County Times, and open bids on June 12.

Commissioners meet every Monday at 9 a.m. on the second floor of the Ozark County Courthouse. The meetings are open to the public.