County may have to spend more than half a million dollars on building needs

Many of the county-owned buildings are in dire need of repairs, maintenance and improvements, county commissioners learned during a recent inspection of all the buildings.

Presiding County Commissioner Terry Newton organized a quarterly inspection of all county-owned buildings, and commissioners recently toured the courthouse, sheriff’s department, recycling center, the county extension office and other county property.

On Monday, Newton reported the findings of the inspections, which could mean substantial dollar signs for the county.

“The jail needs some major improvements,” Newton told the Times. “It needs a new roof, plumbing and several other things,” Newton said. He said the kitchen in the jail needs appliances and other improvements, and new lighting and some heating and air conditioning needs were also found during the inspection at the jail.

“Then there are minor things like paint and what have you,” he said. “It was just kind of let go, and that’s not a good thing for a building like that.”

Newton said he estimates the maintenance and repairs would be over $125,000 for just the jail and sheriff’s department. The county is currently accepting bids on replacing the roof at the jail.

Courthouse

Newton said during an inspection of the courthouse, the obvious big need is to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

“The handicap ramp on the west side of the courthouse is probably going to have to go and we think it would be best to focus and plan to replace the elevator … you’re looking at probably $250,000 just for that,” Newton said.

Officials have said the 20-year-old concrete handicap ramp is crumbling and is potentially dangerous. “It probably needs to go as soon as possible,” said County Clerk Brian Wise. The ramp is not ADA compliant because it is too steep, Wise said.

Newton said the fascia and guttering around the courthouse needs to be replaced because the substandard guttering is causing water to come in one section of the basement.

“Basically that’s residential-grade guttering that’s up there,” Newton said. “So we are looking at removing the guttering and wrapping the fascia in metal and putting awnings up at our entrances.”

Newton said other needs in the courthouse were heating and air conditioning upstairs, repair to several steps, ceiling tiles and some painting.

He said the projected cost for the courthouse repairs, including a new elevator, would likely be close to $400,000.

Recycling center/other

The recycling center was found to be in terrible shape during the commissioners’ inspection. Newton said the building needed $40,000-$50,000 in repairs or a new building would need to be built. He said commissioners would weigh their options on what to do with it, but that something needed to be done. 

“The roof is leaking, and it’s not in good shape at all,” Newton said. “The recycling center is an important asset to the county,” he continued. “Can you imagine what the county would look like if we didn’t have it?”

He said two new cardboard balers were also needed at the center.

Newton said the county extension office just needed minor repairs, basically painting and power-washing.

“We are going to make this a regular thing to inspect these buildings and try to stay on top of things before they get out of hand,” Newton said.

Newton said some of the work will be done right away, but the bigger expenses, like a new elevator, would be tackled as needed. “We need to plan for it now, because it’s going to happen … it’s only a matter of time,” Newton said.

Commissioners have been told by inspectors that the current elevator is obsolete and parts for it are no longer available.