Commission authorizes up to $300,000 from accumulated building fund for emergency repairs

The Pennington County Board of Commissioners authorized the director of Buildings & Grounds to expend up to $300,000 from the accumulated building fund for emergency and weather-related facility repairs, subject to insurance reimbursement and commission reporting.

Davis Purcell, director of Buildings & Grounds (S4), described recent unanticipated facility damage: courthouse roof and elevator repairs, storm and wind damage at county buildings, and damage at the highway shop. Purcell said the accumulated building fund had been used for a range of maintenance projects in the past, but that the director lacked standing authority to draw from the restricted accumulated building fund without board approval.

County finance staff explained the accumulated building fund is a restricted levy fund intended for facilities maintenance; reimbursements from insurance should be coded back to the restricted fund. Commissioner Durr moved to authorize up to $300,000 from the accumulated building fund for emergency/weather-related repairs, subject to insurance reimbursement and to provide reports back to the board; the motion passed.

The board instructed staff to submit timely insurance claims for the damage and to return any reimbursements to the restricted fund to replenish it. Commissioners also asked staff to formalize a policy or procedure during the next budget cycle to clarify when such funds may be used and the reporting required.

What happens next: Buildings & Grounds will proceed with emergency repairs, submit insurance claims where applicable, and report reimbursements and expenditures to the board; staff will include a policy proposal in the next budget cycle.