Monroe County facilities staff said this week they have begun systematic testing and remediation after mold was detected in ceiling tiles at the Monroe County Justice Building, prompting temporary closures and targeted remediation work.

County facilities staff said the county first performed mold testing on the Justice Building third floor after maintenance noted damp, humid conditions. The environmental contractor, Vet Environmental (Vet), reported mold present on sampled surfaces on the third floor and one indoor air sample with elevated Aspergillus/Penicillium spores, though overall total fungi levels were reported as acceptable. County staff then expanded sampling to the second-floor prosecutor’s office after occupants raised concerns; Vet advised that the occupant vacate and three adjoining offices be cleared while remediation occurred.

County facilities staff described fogging the prosecutor’s space and removing and replacing discolored ceiling tiles. Staff said the intensified work required closing parts of the building during weekdays to allow crews to remove tiles, remediate affected areas, sweep and prepare for follow-up testing. The county said Vet took samples from the Justice Building and the Sheriff/Jail facility and shipped those samples to laboratories in Indianapolis; staff reported the number of samples as 74 or 79 in the meeting record. Staff said the jail is served by a separate air handler and that initial testing did not identify active mold in the jail area.

Facilities staff said Vet Environmental will perform additional fogging over a weekend and conduct follow-up air testing so results would be available the following week. Employees the county identified as immunologically compromised were advised to contact their supervisors. County leaders acknowledged an OSHA complaint had been filed and said the county is cooperating with testing and remediation.

County officials thanked maintenance staff and employees for cooperating during the work, and said the courthouse and justice facilities’ long service life and building design contribute to recurring maintenance issues. The county said it will continue testing, replace affected ceiling tiles, and perform follow-up air sampling before returning all spaces to normal operations.

The county did not announce any formal policy change or new funding appropriation during the meeting; officials said the remediation work is underway and testing results will determine next steps.