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Carroll County commissioners pause $7–8 million annex renovation, direct space study and move finance reorganization
Summary
Commissioners voted to put the multi-million-dollar annex renovation on hold pending a county space assessment, instructed staff to explore reusing existing county building space, approved smaller roof work and directed steps toward hiring a full-time county CFO and assigning finance oversight to Melissa Siemens.
Carroll County Commissioners voted on Jan. 27 to put the ongoing annex renovation project on hold and directed staff to conduct a space needs assessment before committing to large-scale spending. The commission also approved limited roof repairs and moved to begin a search for a full‑time, county CFO and to make Melissa Siemens the finance department’s oversight conduit.
A commissioner opened the discussion by saying they wanted to “put a hold on all of the annex project from roof to hot top to rehabilitation until we do another space assessment of the county building to see if there is space in the county building” for meeting rooms and offices. Commissioners noted that the project had been moving forward, that current bids were in the $7 million range and that a $2 million USDA approval was still pending. After discussion, a motion to place the annex project on indefinite hold until a formal space‑needs study is completed passed by voice vote.
Commissioners asked county staff to examine whether existing county-owned buildings, including the old county building and the registry of deeds space, can accommodate meeting and office needs; they also directed consultation with the county attorney. The commission moved and approved a separate motion to proceed with limited, lower‑cost repairs to the complex roof and building maintenance where immediate upkeep is required.
On funding, commissioners discussed the financing approach for a previously approved $650,000 jail roof project and said they will explore paying that cost from existing county funds rather than issuing bonds or leases. The CFO was not available at the meeting to confirm details, and commissioners asked the contracted CFO and county finance staff to return with a funding plan.
Separately, commissioners voted to proceed with a modest $11,000 repair that had been presented as needed for ongoing maintenance of the complex; that motion passed by voice vote.
The meeting also produced two motions changing county finance governance: commissioners voted to direct staff to draft a job description for a full-time, county-paid CFO within 30 days and to advertise the position; and they voted to place Melissa Siemens in charge of overseeing the finance department’s contracted and public employees as the commissioners’ conduit to the finance team. The motions passed by voice vote.
Finally, the commission instructed the chair and county staff to survey the registry of deeds, consult the county attorney and report back on whether existing registry space could be repurposed for meeting rooms or offices.
Ending: The commission’s actions pause major renovation work pending study, authorize limited maintenance and begin a formal process to reorganize finance leadership. Commissioners said they will return to the larger annex project subject to the outcome of the space assessment and pending outside funding approvals such as USDA.
