Committee approves $112,200 modernization of North Courthouse elevator using internal CIP savings

The committee approved full modernization of the North Courthouse elevator, following staff’s recommendation to replace aging components rather than perform a short-term repair.

Facilities staff described recent intermittent failures and said the elevator is currently functional but showing signs that a partial repair would be a temporary fix; modernization would avoid a later duplicate expense. Staff cited a roughly six-month lead time for labor and parts and reported a total modernization estimate of approximately $112,200. To avoid tapping contingency funds, staff proposed using savings from a UW central heating plant project; the committee approved the recommendation (referred to in the meeting as “recommendation number 2”) and directed staff to proceed.

Committee members asked about funding sources, timing, and whether board-level budget choices could instead use working capital to reduce levy. Staff noted the board retains budget discretion but that the implementation plan would rely on available interdepartmental savings and project reallocation. Staff will issue purchase orders and schedule the modernization work based on contractor availability and down-payment deadlines discussed in the meeting (sufficient funding needed by July to secure a place in the six-month work queue).