County says administrative center elevator out for weeks, outlines interim access plans

County staff told the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 10 that the administrative center elevator has a leaking hydraulic cylinder and will be out of service for a minimum of six to eight weeks while the county removes and replaces the shaft jack.
A staff member briefing the board said technicians replaced the top seal and that did not stop the leak, concluding the cylinder or bottom seal is likely damaged. “We are looking at a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks before that is accomplished,” the staff member said.
The administrator and other staff said the timing is difficult because Medicare application season and other public-facing services require easy access. Staff said they are identifying alternative spaces and entrances so residents can complete applications and access county services while repairs continue. The board and staff also discussed operational workarounds such as moving public-facing services to the building’s front entrance and working with departments to find temporary locations for high‑volume activities.
Commissioners noted the accessibility implications for senior services — which previously operated on the second floor — and thanked staff for proposing alternatives. No formal vote was taken; the briefing was an administrative operations update.