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Athens-Clarke County approves $320,000 contingency for courthouse operations during elevator repairs
Summary
Commissioners approved $320,000 in contingency funds to cover temporary courthouse security and rental costs while an out-of-service elevator is repaired; managers say elevator work is underway and could take about 11 weeks.
The Athens-Clarke County Commission on March 18 approved a $320,000 contingency request to support interim courthouse operations while crews repair an out-of-service elevator.
The interim county manager told commissioners the equipment has arrived and work had started this week, but full restoration could take “approximately 11 more weeks” on the high end. He said the county has opened an additional courthouse entrance that requires extra security staffing and has relocated some trial operations to two rooms at the Classic Center, which carries a rental fee.
The funding ordinance sent to the commission said the money would be recorded in the FY2025 operating budget “to provide funding for alternative courthouse operations and for other purposes.” The commission first voted to suspend rules to allow this special-called session item to be heard and then moved and approved the contingency allocation.
Commissioner Hamby moved the funding approval; Commissioner Fisher seconded the motion. After public questions about whether sheriff’s deputies were in place at the Classic Center, the motion was approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Commissioner Johnson used the discussion to remind the commission that a separate, longer-term courthouse renovation and site-selection effort remains active. Johnson said that judges first requested renovations or an expansion as far back as 2014, the referendum that added the item dates to 2019, and that an oversight board has met periodically; the manager said the oversight group will meet one more time in April to close out its work.
The county will track rental and security costs while the elevator work continues and will return with any needed budget adjustments. The commission also announced that it will enter executive session later in the evening for unrelated items including real estate and litigation.
Estimated next steps include continued security at the Classic Center while hearings are held there and monitoring expenses against the $320,000 contingency until the elevator is back in service.
