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Valley County approves funding to add up to five badge-access doors at Cascade Annex
Summary
The Valley County Board authorized up to five badge-access doors for interior and back-stair doors at the Cascade Annex to improve security and convenience; estimated cost range discussed was $20,000–$30,000 and staff will return with firm quotes.
Valley County commissioners voted Aug. 20 to authorize procurement of badge-access hardware for up to five interior doors at the Cascade Annex, a measure county staff and the IT director said would improve security and eliminate the need for multiple keys.
IT Director Mr. Wilcox told commissioners the proposal began with the front door already converted and that departments identified four internal doors that would benefit from badge access; he and commissioners identified a back stairwell door as a likely additional candidate, bringing the total to five. Mr. Wilcox described the locations as doors between the public lobby and interior hallways that access the assessor, planning and zoning, DMV and break-room areas.
"Carrying around a bunch of keys to try and get in your doors, that really doesn't work," Mr. Wilcox said, arguing badge access is both more secure and easier to control. Commissioner Caldwell said the installation is costly but added that, from a security standpoint, it is reasonable to have locked access to back-office areas: "It's a lot of money. I wish this would have been budgeted for in the beginning. But I think on a security side, it's not a bad idea to have, a spot where people can go behind a locked door easily."
Mr. Wilcox gave a preliminary cost range of about $3,000 to $6,000 per door depending on required components, which led the board to estimate total installation costs of roughly $20,000 to $30,000 for four or five doors. Commissioners discussed funding the project from remaining ARPA funds but said staff would confirm available balances. Board members asked staff to return with an updated, official quote and to review the very back door from the stairwell in person to confirm whether the county needs four or five doors.
Commissioner move and second were not recorded by name in the transcript; the motion was made and seconded, and the board recorded two audible "Aye" votes and carried the motion. Staff will obtain final quotes and report back before work begins.
