The Marion County Board has decided not to pursue the purchase of the Modern Woodman Building at Schwartz and Jefferson Streets across from the Marion County Law Enforcement Center.
The decision came when the board was asked to spend $1,500 to have an inspection completed of the building to determine what repairs the county would face if they bought the building.
“There was no motion, so at this point, there’s no movement forward. So unless something else happens I’d say it’s probably a dead issue.”
That’s Building Committee Chair Dr. Creighton Engel who feels that’s the right decision with all the other building improvements the county is still facing with limited available funds.
“Completing and tweaking the Moose building inside to further us the ability to expand more storage in the building and to make the public space a little better than it is now. And then the large courtroom needs remodeled. We have other projects like windows in the public service building that have never been replaced since it’s been built that are in sore need of replacement. Now we have windows in the courthouse where the seals are broken and need to be replaced. And the parking lot project we would like to complete in the future.”
Engel says the courthouse is also badly in need of painting and the law enforcement center needs several expensive repairs needed for public safety.
There was also concern about the upkeep of an additional county building. The board agreed to the need to define the duties of the sheriff in maintaining other than the courthouse and jail and figure out how to cover maintenance needs not under the sheriff’s jurisdiction.
The board did agree to move forward on one project. A $15,500 bid was awarded to Shores Builders of Centralia for labor, material, and equipment to replace the east side main entry doors of the courthouse that are not now in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Sheriff Kevin Cripps hopes the work can be completed in the near future.
“It will replace both doors. You have the main outside door, the inside foyer door, and also it will have key fob access and handicapped access with an automatic door opener.”
Engel announced work should begin shortly on the renovation of the first-floor bathrooms at the courthouse now that the renovation of the State’s Attorney’s office is complete.
In another action, the board voted to purchase an excavator from Smitty’s Equipment for $60,000. Highway Engineer Mike McCormick says the department currently doesn’t have an excavator and has been looking for one that fits in their budget.
The board reappointed Kim Hocking to another term as a Kell Fire Protection District Trustee.
