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County proposes Superior Courthouse exterior restoration and launches facility master plan with $70.9M deferred needs
Summary
Barnesville County staff briefed the finance committee on an exterior restoration plan for the Superior Courthouse — two execution scenarios were presented — and on a facility condition assessment and master plan that identified roughly $70.9 million in deferred maintenance across county properties, with courts’ share estimated at $41.6 million.
Paul Rosala, assets and infrastructure manager for Barnesville County, told the committee the Superior Courthouse needs exterior restoration including masonry repointing, wood column and facade repair, window replacement and some basement foundation work. He said consultants performed visual inspections and test cuts and found "extensive rotting" in upper wood elements and deteriorated mortar in the basement.
Rosala presented two scenarios and preliminary cost estimates: performing work in an occupied building over approximately 12 to 15 months with an estimated total project cost of $6,000,000, or completing the work in an unoccupied building over roughly 8 to 10 months at an estimated cost of $5,260,000. He noted the occupied scenario would require temporary relocations of staff and significant noise and vibration mitigations because the courts use sensitive recording equipment.
Rosala said hazardous materials abatement will be required when windows are removed and that coordinating construction around the courts’ schedule is a major constraint: "We're looking to get construction documents finished this winter and hopefully bidding the project this winter and starting construction in the 2026," he said, while adding the schedule remained "to be determined" pending coordination with the courts.
On funding, Rosala described prior appropriations and potential reimbursements: $1,000,000 was appropriated in FY24 and $6,000,000 in FY25; Rosala said the full $7,000,000 would be eligible for 75% state reimbursement, leaving a county share of $1,750,000 if that reimbursement is approved. Assistant County Administrator Vera Harrick later told the committee she did not anticipate the project reappearing in the FY27 capital budget because funds were already appropriated in FY24 and FY25.
Committee members raised lease and longer‑term financing concerns. Rosala said the county's lease with the courts dates to 1989, includes multiple minor amendments and contains a clause that court reimbursement of capital is "subject to appropriations," leaving the county exposed if courts do not appropriate funds. He said the county bills courts and then receives a delayed reimbursement (described as about a one‑and‑a‑half year lag in practice). Rosala urged revisiting the lease terms and better aligning capital planning with court needs.
Rosala also reported on a countywide facility condition assessment and master plan performed by consultant Gensler. The assessment identified $70,900,000 of deferred maintenance across county properties; Rosala said the courts' share of deferred needs under the current reimbursement model is $41,600,000. He said the master plan will include short‑, medium‑ and long‑term scenarios for space use, potential renovation of the old jail versus new construction, and options for staff relocation or consolidation.
No formal committee votes were taken on courthouse construction or master‑plan items. Members asked staff to return with more refined relocation cost estimates and to involve finance director Carol and the courts in follow‑up discussions about lease, reimbursement timing and capital planning.
