A courthouse steering committee for Walker County told commissioners on Sept. 2 that it has identified a contractor to begin assessments and scoping work for a planned renovation.

A committee member calling himself Alex said the circuit judges are highly engaged and that Judge Don Thompson has taken the lead on the committee. Alex said the committee interviewed three contractors and identified “FH Passion” as the contractor they would like to work with; the firm previously completed work on Gordon Lee High School, the committee said.

Gordian is the single-source state project manager assisting the county, Alex said, and will help develop the scope and testing plan. Committee members told the board that the contractor will have staff “boots on the ground” at the courthouse for an initial review on Friday and that they will complete testing and produce a preliminary cost estimate. Committee members and judges will then present a recommended scope and cost to the board for funding discussions.

Commissioners agreed on the need to determine the work required and then identify funding. The committee indicated there may be leftover funds in a prior SPLOST budget slot (the “2020 slot”) and that staff will coordinate with finance to confirm available balance.

County officials said the first step is to identify what must be done, estimate costs, and then return to the board to decide how to fund the renovation.