Supervisors approve temporary relocation of clerks and $80,723 courthouse restoration work

The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors authorized temporary relocation of state clerk employees to the courthouse third floor and approved capital project quotes totaling $80,723.08 to support repairs and restoration in the first‑floor clerk area.

Kenny Schmitz, Building Services Director, told the board the work would allow repairs in the first‑floor clerk area and requires relocating state staff temporarily to existing third‑floor space. He presented multiple project quotes and recommended Sioux City Tree and Pro Painting despite a higher bid because that firm included an artist to restore historic golden‑scroll column detailing that other bidders did not include.

Supervisor Bittinger moved authorization to relocate the clerk employees; Supervisor Carper seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 5‑0. The board also approved the project quote for $80,723.08 by motion (moved by Bittinger, seconded by Nelson) and accepted the recommendation to include the specialized restoration scope.

Nut graf: The board approved both short‑term operational changes (staff relocation) and the larger restoration and repair contract to preserve courthouse historic features while the first‑floor clerk area is repaired.

Schmitz said the project will be phased — one contractor will set up, complete work, tear down, and then the next contractor will proceed — and staff will coordinate timelines with contractors after board approval. The meeting record did not specify a firm completion date.

Ending: Building Services will notify contractors and schedule phased work; clerks will be temporarily relocated to third‑floor space while repairs proceed.