In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the escalating insurance costs associated with a historical building owned by the local historical commission. Over the past few years, the insurance premium for the property has surged from $10,000 to $20,000, prompting the county to consider taking ownership of the building to manage these costs more effectively.

The historical commission has been responsible for the insurance since 2017, but with the premium due on October 3, the urgency to act has increased. County officials highlighted that if the county accepts ownership, it could potentially secure a better insurance rate by integrating the building into its existing policy, which covers multiple properties.

The current estimated replacement value of the building is $2.5 million, significantly higher than the previous valuation of $968,000. This discrepancy raises concerns about the appropriateness of the insurance premium, leading officials to propose obtaining an independent appraisal to determine a fair replacement cost.

During the meeting, three options were presented to the board: do nothing and risk the historical commission facing financial difficulties, accept the deed and take ownership of the building, or withdraw from the interlocal agreement that governs the historical commission, which would still result in shared ownership with the city.

Ultimately, the board voted unanimously to accept the deed from the historical commission, with one member abstaining due to their position on the commission. This decision allows the county to move forward with negotiating insurance terms and potentially alleviating the financial burden on the historical commission. The next steps will involve discussions with the city regarding future responsibilities and contributions related to the building's upkeep and operation.