Commission approves seal-coat basement flooring and starts office reassignments

The Big Horn County Commission voted March 4 to accept a seal-coating quote to finish the Land Planning basement and instructed county facilities staff to begin reassigning offices to remedy overcrowding and lack of natural light in some basement workspaces.

Facilities Manager Jeremy Pouska presented two quotes for the Land Planning basement: $8,400 to seal the existing concrete and $11,550 to install an epoxy floor. Commissioner Dave Neves moved to accept the Armor Coat sealing quote; the motion was seconded and carried.

At the same time, a staff member identified only as Bean reported her office and administrative staff are outgrowing basement space and that lack of natural light is affecting health conditions. Bean and Pouska proposed moving Bean’s office to the third floor and relocating third-floor occupants (Drug Court and CARES) to the basement; commissioners discussed the conference-room schedule and whether the County Attorney’s office might be better located on the third floor. By consensus the commission directed staff to begin the process outlined by Pouska and Bean.

Pouska also reported the courthouse fire panel had been recertified and that previously approved blinds were installed. He asked Road & Bridge to begin demolition at the fairgrounds site if the Fair Board agreed to use raised funds for pens so that construction could proceed in time for the fair season. The commission did not approve any additional large capital outlays at the March 4 meeting and asked staff to return with more detailed plans and cost estimates.