The county board has received suggestions for use of its building fund that far outweigh the money actually in that fund. Commissioners spent part of the afternoon of June 19 discussing capital requests and future capital needs.
Maintenance Director Brian Silence described 16 projects that have been identified: . Radio tech office space.
This is needed for a new position for state’s Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) communication initiative. . Cooling system for Law Enforcement Center computer server room.
Maintenance Director Silence said the boiler room is adjacent to the server room and adds heat to it. It needs either need air conditioning or venting. . Bigger computer server room at the Law Enforcement Center. . Larger emergency operation center at the Law Enforcement Center.
Sheriff Mark Falk said the state is pressuring counties to get away from 72-hour facilities, to hold inmates for up to a year. Having a facility that could house inmates for one year would allow them to keep inmates close to home and family. A longer-term facility would require an exercise room and volunteers to run programs for the inmates, he said. . Commissioners’ room audio system.
People have a hard time hearing commissioners, even though microphones sit directly in front of them. . Information technology director’s office chair.
Silence said a physical therapist has told Danna MacKenzie that she needs a different chair. . Consolidating information technology (IT) staff into one space.
IT staff is now in different physical locations in the courthouse building, which is impractical. . Highway Department maintenance shops in Hovland and Tofte.
“They should be a priority soon,” said Silence. “They are falling apart.” Engineer David Betts said one shop looks like a disco on the inside when the sun is shining because of gaps in the roof.
Estimated cost of needed improvements at the two locations would be $1.34 million. Changes also need to be made to fueling stations and salt storage. . Highway Department main campus on County Road 7.
The office space is too small and fumes from the adjacent garage filter throughout the building.The staff kitchen has a continual mouse problem. There is a single bay for vehicle repair. A truck washing bay is needed, especially with new mandated procedures to prevent the spread of invasive species. Better salt storage is needed to decrease runoff hazards. Betts estimated the changes would cost $6.2 to $7.5 million.
“Personally, I think that’s a lot of money for our county,” said Commissioner Jan Hall. “I think it could be done for less.” Betts and Klegstad said they could downgrade materials, such as using metal instead of concrete, but it would not last as long.
Safety, health, efficiency, and longevity of equipment would all be improved with the recommended improvements, said Commissioner Jim Johnson.
Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers recommended that they go out for bonds if they did all the Highway Department projects at once. . Public Health & Human Services “card swipes” for entry into the department.
“We’ve had some issues recently with some of the doors,” said Maintenance Director Silence. . Remodeling of the former law library space.
The law library is online now and this space could be made available to Public Health & Human Services. . Lawn and grounds maintenance equipment storage.
The Maintenance Department needs space to store and work on its equipment.. They are now renting a single stall garage across the street, where pieces of equipment are piled up on top of each other. . Security improvements.
The county has been working with a security consultant on ways it could increase security at all of its sites. . ARMER program.
Sheriff Falk said grant programs are starting to move away from offering funding for communications infrastructure. . Replacement of furnaces in current Community Center building. . Normal building maintenance in upcoming years, such as roof replacements.
“We’re going to run out of money in the building fund,” said Silence. He wanted to know how the county board was going to set priorities and how the building fund was going to be replenished. “We’re eating it up faster than we’re putting into it,” he said.
Sheriff Falk said he doesn’t want to overspend, either. “I’m a taxpayer, too, just like everybody else,” he said.
“This is a lot to think about,” said Commissioner Jan Hall.
“If we find that we really need these things,” said Commissioner Sobanja, “bonding prices are as low as they’re going to get. You have to pay the piper sooner or later.”
Auditor-Treasurer Powers will draw up a list of the improvements that were discussed along with as many cost estimates as possible, which commissioners will use in setting priorities.
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