Board authorizes contract and first payment for courthouse water‑damage repairs

The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 22 authorized county staff to execute a contract with Holland General Contractors for courthouse remediation and repairs following a July 12 sprinkler activation and approved payment of the contractor’s initial invoice.

County Administrator Spencer Souter reported the county filed an insurance claim with an estimated total loss of $922,902.24. The insurer issued an initial payment of $647,403.98; the insurer will withhold depreciation until satisfactory completion of repairs, Souter said.

Souter provided line items from Holland’s contract: remediation work billed at $71,704.85 and repair work billed at $721,704.85. The board authorized staff to execute the contract that incorporates those line items and to approve payment of an initial invoice — approximately 50% of Holland’s billed contract amount — so the contractor can pay suppliers, including flooring vendors.

Souter said the contractor had been on site since the emergency, performing drying and mitigation to limit mold risk, and staff and Hollands worked with the insurer to compile documentation. The contract contains an option for mutually agreed additional work to address sensible improvements while the building is open for repair, such as replacing worn benches on upper floors.

The motion to authorize execution of the contract and pay the first invoice passed unanimously (Supervisor Lyons, Supervisor Lewis, Supervisor McDaniel, Supervisor Day and Chair Cheri Ayers voted yes). County staff said remaining insurance proceeds and any additional eligible costs will be paid after satisfactory completion and final insurer approval.