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Iowa County discusses courthouse basement drying options and judge’s library repairs
Summary
Supervisors said they spoke with vendors about a specialized dry-out system for the courthouse basement, discussed a roughly $40,000 estimate and a two-year drying timeline from one vendor, and reviewed plans to repair judge’s library walls using moisture-resistant materials.
Iowa County supervisors discussed options to address persistent basement dampness at the county courthouse and repair water-damaged areas in the judge’s library during the meeting.
A supervisor reported meeting a vendor who described a nonstandard drying system for courthouses. "By the time I walked over there, the price had gone $10,000... 40, yeah. And it takes, like, 2 years to get it all dried out," the supervisor said, expressing skepticism about the technology and its cost. The board said it will contact references and speak with other counties that have used the vendor before scheduling any work or presentations.
Separately, the board discussed interior repairs in the judge’s library and basement walls. Officials described a proposed approach to cut out damaged areas, install moisture-resistant drywall and finish with plaster, and noted that a contractor (referred to as Randy) had provided an estimate in prior discussions. A supervisor said they would coordinate with facilities staff and arrange a site visit to determine the bookshelf configuration and finalize repair plans.
Board members emphasized addressing exterior drainage and foundation waterproofing as long-term solutions rather than repeatedly repairing interior finishes. "Before we do the basement walls, we need to do something on the outside of the courthouse," a supervisor said, warning that interior fixes alone risk recurring damage.
Officials said they will contact references for the drying-system vendor, discuss exterior waterproofing options, and proceed with targeted interior repairs where necessary. No formal contracts or votes were recorded on these items at this meeting.
