Courthouse project: contingency funds, ineligible interest and security staffing options discussed

Nathan provided an update on the Pulaski County courthouse construction project, outlining the project’s contingency balances, expected change orders, construction progress and options for staffing public-access security.

Nathan said the owner’s contingency balance stood “just above a hundred and $96,000” before accounting for sidewalk costs, which could be nearly $20,000, and that the project has roughly $100,000 in expected change orders. He reported the contractor retains a separate construction contingency “somewhere in the 300 thousands, if not still in a 400 thousands.”

On financing, Nathan said the county has $60,160.90 in ineligible interest funds tied to a maturing certificate of deposit. He told commissioners those funds “may only [be] use[d] for improvements to other county owned facilities” and said the total interest that will become available depends on cashing out a current $5,000,000 CD.

On construction progress, Nathan said Delta 3 connected the building plumbing to the Winamac water system and that MEP work, painting, staining of millwork and exterior block repairs are ongoing. He said tiling of lower-level hallway floors was expected to begin this week and that furniture deliveries are expected by mid-June pending final review with department heads.

Nathan raised building security as a decision point and outlined three options for public access at the new courthouse: station two security officers at the main entrance, leave the building unguarded and unlocked, or keep the building locked with access managed remotely from the justice center. He described trade-offs for each option and said staffing would likely be a sheriff’s-office budget decision. "The building will have a single point of public access on the north side of the basement," Nathan said, noting a small office has been included there for security.

Commissioners discussed the options and risks, including concerns that dispatchers already handling emergency calls could be burdened by managing courthouse access, and some department heads reported they felt panic buttons and proximity to the sheriff's office provided an acceptable level of safety. No formal action to fund additional security positions was taken at the meeting; Nathan asked commissioners to indicate whether funding additional officers might be possible so staff can plan contingencies.