Carroll County approves $4,820 door-access expansion; board delays larger basement security decision

Carroll County approved a $4,820 expansion of the courthouse badge-access system to add three doors serving the juvenile court office, the communications center office and the server room.

Ben Dalton, staff member, presented the quote and said the work would be performed by the same contractor who installed the original system. A board member moved to approve the $4,820 quote and another member seconded; the board voted by voice and the motion carried.

The board then discussed broader basement security. Jason, communications director, told the board his staff had twice encountered people in the secured basement area and described at least one incident in which a person who had spent time in the jail later appeared in the basement and used the bathroom. "We had a female dispatcher on. She was the only one in the basement. So she felt very uncomfortable in that situation," Jason said, describing why limiting access is urgent for comm center safety.

Staff reported a quote from Schumacher, the county's elevator contractor, to run wiring and a cable "whip" to the elevator so the elevator could be tied into the badge system; the figure discussed for that preparatory work was about $10,000. Board members raised concerns about that cost and noted additional work would be required after running cable to complete a secure elevator door connection. One board member said per-door equipment costs account for much of the expense and cited an approximate equipment component cost of $1,600 per door during the discussion.

Members discussed alternatives including building a secure interior wall/door (a vestibule) outside the elevator, installing an exterior elevator, or other access-control solutions. Several board members said building a robust wall and a secure door might cost as much as the elevator work once carpentry, door hardware and access panels are included. Board members also noted $50,000 previously set aside in the capital fund that could be applied to future remodel work.

Rather than approve further work immediately, the board asked staff to obtain competitive quotes for: running the elevator cable/wiring, building a secure wall/vestibule with a secure door, and an exterior elevator option. One member volunteered to lead the effort with Dalton and Jason. The item was effectively tabled pending those quotes and further planning; no additional contract was approved at the meeting.

The discussion included repeated emphasis on keeping the communications center operational and secure. Board members said they preferred planning a coordinated remodel rather than making piecemeal expenditures that could be wasted if the elevator needs full replacement later.