WBIW.com News - local

Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana

Lawrence County Officials To Hold Public Meeting To Address Courthouse Issues

Last updated on Wednesday, July 25, 2012

(BEDFORD) - The Lawrence County Council and Commissioners will host a public meeting to discuss the renovations needed at the courthouse, the possible demolition of the annex building and security issues at the courthouse and plaza.

The meeting will be Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Lawrence County Courthouse.

The public is invited to attend.

Michael Conly, of Architura and Dave Haun, of Design-Aire Engineering Inc. will discuss the dire need to replace the 110 windows and the numerous air conditioning units handing out those windows. They will also present an energy analysis to gauge potential savings.

County officials will discuss, strategize and brain storm on project improvements.

Conly estimated the cost of the project, which includes replacing all the windows and installing a Variable Refrigerant Flow system is estimated to cost $2 million dollars.

The council has approved spending $90,680 of the funds garnered through the sale of Dunn Hospital to hire Karr Tuckpointing to do the tuck pointing and cleaning of the limestone.

The plan was to have Architura replace the windows and air conditioners before the tuckpointing and cleaning. However, now, Architura cannot start the window project, if approved by the council, until April.

Commissioner President Chris May wonders if it is wise to go ahead with the tuck pointing and cleaning of the courthouse, if the windows and air conditioning units are not replaced first.

"Part of the problem is the water draining from the air conditioning is draining and running down the building staining the limestone," May says. "If we clean it and then six months later do the rusty windows and replace the air conditioners the staining could come back and it will be money wasted. These are just some of the issues I feel we need to discuss. We don't want to waste county funds."

In other business:

* The council approved $144,000 for building a new county morgue in Dunn Plaza. Tri-County Builders will renovate the building for $98,700.

"The extra funds would be a buffer for state permits," Chris May says. "We are new at this and are expecting some hidden fees with those permits. We just don't want to get into a situation where we need money for unexpected permits and have to slow the progress of construction because we have to ask for more money. The money will not be taken out of the account unless it is needed."

The council did have some concerns about paying for the project with the money from the sale of Dunn Hospital, instead of using general funds. All the council members voted to use the money from the sale of the hospital except Keith Dillman.

* Lawrence County Chief Public Defender Lorinda Youngcourt presented a request for window tinting at the Public Defender Agency in Dunn Plaza. Youngcourt requested $2,450 for the project. The council approved the request and she will now present it to the county council.

* Joe Dibert, of community corrections, requested the budget approval for a $3,500 grant for the Juvenile Problem Solving Court. Dibert also told the council that they are in the process of getting the court certified by the state. If successful, they will be the 4th Juvenile Problem Solving Court to be state certified.

* The Lawrence County Prosecutor's office requested a transfer of funds to pay the salary of an employee and for an additional of $13,000 to buy a new car for the prosecutor's office. The money for the vehicle is coming from the infraction deferral fund. The current vehicle has 115,000 miles and is 11 years old. They will trade in the 2001 vehicle.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Click here to go back to previous page