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Franklin County approves $4,782.50 contribution to retrieve courthouse time capsule; one commissioner objects
Summary
The commission approved spending $4,782.50—half the estimated $9,565 cost—to retrieve a time capsule from the county’s historic courthouse cornerstone; one commissioner voted against the expenditure, citing the likelihood the contractor will return.
Franklin County commissioners voted on Oct. 22 to approve a county contribution of $4,782.50 toward retrieving a time capsule and removing a cornerstone from the historic county courthouse. County contractor GKW proposed splitting the $9,565 retrieval cost and offered to record and provide video of the removal.
County staff reported the cornerstone contained a time capsule placed on July 4, 1892, and said the contractor was eager to remove it while equipped and on site. Staff recommended the county accept the contractor’s offer to split the retrieval cost; commissioners debated whether to take the opportunity now or delay and attempt to coordinate a larger public event when more partners (historical society, COFO) could participate.
During discussion, one commissioner said he expected the contractor to return and preferred to wait; that commissioner recorded a “no” vote. The motion carried with a majority of commissioners voting yes. Commissioners directed staff to try to create appropriate public lead-up if possible, while the expenditure approval did not bind the county to a specific public-event timeline.
The county will work with the contractor and interested local groups to coordinate removal and any community programming.
