The Marion County Board has entered two agreements they hope will put them in a position to be able to use federal COVID-19 relief funds to complete major building improvements.
The board signed a contract with Ameresco and Bellweather. Building Committee Chair Dr. Creighton Engle explains the agreement with Ameresco.
“What we have really done is formalize the agreement to give full permission, they’ve already done the site analysis, to move forward with projects as well as prioritizing those as well as giving us a list of projects in the near, mid, and future areas. A lot of these we can then forward on to Bellweather to get approval from the federal government so we can get some of these done,” said Engle.
Engle says Ameresco has not yet completed the list of building projects that need to be completed.
Bellweather will be working with a large number of counties in determining eligible projects. Engle believes the guidelines on what will qualify have already been loosened by the federal government.
The board tabled the lone bid from Mason Masonry for tuckpointing and cleaning of the outside of the courthouse building. The board wanted a provision added that would make Mason Masonry responsible for any damage done to the building or lawn.
The board was told the elevator at the courthouse will have to be shut down for two weeks to complete major renovations being required to keep the elevator operational. A tentative start date has been set for August 14th after the week any criminal jury trials would be held. Arrangements are being made for employees and visitors who cannot climb the steps to the second or third floor. The renovation will cost the county $75,000. A similar renovation of the elevator at the Public Service Building is currently underway.
