Jefferson County Council OKs $150,000 Library Elevator Upgrade from Rainy Day Fund

The Jefferson County Council voted unanimously to allow the Jefferson County Public Library to appropriate $150,000 from its rainy day fund to repair and upgrade the library elevator. Library representative Judy said the elevator, likely installed in the 1960s, "has been, for the last several years, sometimes stopping in the middle of floors, sometimes not opening." She told the council the project will upgrade the elevator workings and the interior control panel so the existing shaft can continue to serve all five floors. County staff member Heather confirmed the library's rainy day balance and the project cost, saying the rainy day fund balance "is $664,691" and the elevator upgrade cost is "$150,000." The appropriation was described in a resolution citing Indiana Code 6-1.1 and related notice requirements; the council voted to allow the library to use its rainy day funds for the project. The resolution identifies the payment source as the library rainy day fund and lists the line item as "other services and charges." Judy said the library board of trustees had already approved the appropriation at its August meeting and that the library would submit paperwork to begin the work. She told the council she has contacted the Department of Local Government Finance and that, because the appropriation came late in the year, the project may run into 2026; in that case the library would "encumber those funds" to finish the work. Project vendors were discussed. Judy said the library solicited quotes from five firms and that the recommended vendor is Executive Elevator; larger national firms such as Otis and others either refused to quote or could not accommodate the building. No specific contract award was made at the meeting; the council approved only the appropriation. The council carried the motion by voice vote with all members saying "aye." No amendments or dissent were recorded. The library plans to proceed with procurement and to return any required contract documents to the county as part of project implementation.