Johnson County facilities staff presented three security-related estimates June 25 for the Health & Human Services (HHS) building: a complete door replacement estimate, a proposal to add audible alarms that detect propped-open exterior doors, and a proposal to add additional interior access control at a vestibule.

Decision reached: Supervisors agreed not to move forward with a full door replacement at this time, citing limited functional improvement and building structural constraints. Instead the board endorsed installing door-propped open alarms at the HHS exterior for $4,511.68 and asked staff to return with a revised proposal that would also cover select administrative-building doors.

What was presented: Facilities Director Dave Curtis told the board a full replacement would produce "new" doors but likely not materially improve security because the door jambs and building design limit the upgrade. Curtis said the department added door-security checks to preventive maintenance and that currently doors lock when closed.

Alarm option: ATEC Freedom Security’s estimate for door-propped open alarms would create audible local alarms at the door location when an exterior door remains unlatched after hours. Curtis said the alarms are local (not monitored) and that the sound would help onsite staff respond quickly. "Basically, it'll give my staff that's working in the building the heads up: 'Hey. This door is open. Go check it out,'" Curtis said.

Access control option: A separate proposal would add badge readers to interior vestibule doors and stairwell doors to create an extra layer of access control. Supervisors generally favored testing the alarm option first and deferring additional access-control upgrades until after the alarm installation and evaluation.

Context and next steps: Supervisors noted other related security practices — enforcement of a 48‑hour building-use notice, confiscation of door stops, and the need to address manual override switches used after hours — and directed staff to proceed with the alarm installation at HHS and to return with a revised admin-building proposal and cost estimate for supervisors to consider at formal meeting.

No formal expenditure was approved at the work session; staff will bring the final contract(s) and any additional proposals to the board for formal action.