This week’s commissioners’ meeting was anything but business as usual as the commissioners held a public forum to discuss the possibility of a new courthouse with their constituents. Around 20 individuals attended the meeting, all having many questions about the conditions in the current courthouse.

The big question of the day was can the current courthouse be renovated? Many would like to see the building renovated, but with mold seeping into the main floors of the building, bats in the belfry and electrical and heating-cooling issues, is it going to be cost-effective?

The estimate for a new building was done and the cost of that, over-inflated as it may be, was $4.7 million. It is my understanding this includes all the fixtures, furniture and a parking lot. The new building would be located in the current parking lot of the courthouse.

As you can imagine, no one wants to see the landmark torn down. Just a few of the questions we are still seeking answers too are, what would the cost of renovation be? Where would we house all of the public offices and documents while the courthouse is being renovated? What would it cost to tear the old building down, and where would it be dispose of once torn down?

The county officials are seeking answers to those questions and can hopefully have them by the next meeting on Feb. 20. They will have two meetings that day, one at 10:30 a.m. during the regularly scheduled commissioners meeting and a town hall that evening at 6:30 p.m., which will be held in the courtroom. If anyone would like to see the issues in the courthouse first hand, they are welcome to stop by the courthouse for a tour.