Ravalli County facilities officials warn of pricey courthouse and jail repairs in FY26 budget preview

Ravalli County facilities staff told the Board of County Commissioners on May 12 that recent equipment work has improved building performance but that several major repairs and contract cost increases could raise FY26 facility budgets.

The facilities presentation focused on new detention heat pumps paid for with a grant, ongoing elevator leakage in the courthouse, an unreceived quote for isolation valves on the courthouse hot-water loop, rising prices for routine supplies, and proposed changes to smoke detectors in the jail. Facilities staff said some work should be treated as capital projects rather than routine operating expenses.

"We have new heat pumps installed in the detention boiler room," Jesse said, describing the heat pumps' effect: "With the addition of a space heater we've now maintained that space at 60 plus degrees through all winter." He also described continuing software-and-unit fine-tuning and the need to keep an eye on an elevator shaft leak that has been slow but persistent since the equipment dates to 1979: "It's not losing gallons. It's losing a cup maybe in 2 weeks, 3 weeks."

Jesse said he has not yet received the…