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Commissioners approve emergency appropriations and then‑and‑now payments for courthouse fire cleanup
Summary
Following a Feb. 22 basement fire at the historic county courthouse, the board approved transfers and an emergency appropriation to cover cleanup and restoration costs; the county's insurer (Corsa) is expected to cover costs minus a $100,000 deductible and the administrator added two then‑and‑now certificates to the consent agenda including a $150,000 Servpro invoice.
Butler County commissioners on March 17 approved finance and appropriation items to cover emergency cleanup and restoration after a Feb. 22 fire in the historic courthouse basement.
Finance staff (S3) presented transfers including a $1,293,453 transfer tied to CIP draw 1 and a $750,000 appropriation request to fund emergency repairs, cleanup and restoration of fire damage at the historic courthouse. S3 noted three purchase-order change orders totaling $990,472 and said approval of the courthouse appropriation is contingent on acceptance of the transfers and appropriations report.
The county administrator (S7) asked the board to amend the consent agenda to add two then-and-now certificates related to the incident: a Servpro invoice for $150,000 (invoice 10011336) and a smaller invoice to Kelly & Carpenter for $2,456.88. S7 said invoices were not received in time for the original agenda because of the timing of the incident and requested amendment so payment could proceed. S7 also stated that the county’s insurance through Corsa will cover costs beyond the county’s deductible; he said the deductible is $100,000 and invoices are being approved by Corsa before presentation to the board for payment.
The board approved the finance report and the resolution to add the then‑and‑now items to the consent agenda by motion and recorded votes.
Why it matters: the appropriation and added payment items allow the county to proceed with cleanup and temporary repairs related to the courthouse fire while insurance review and restoration planning continue. The county said it expects reimbursement from insurance after Corsa approval, subject to the deductible.
What happens next: vendor invoices will be presented consistent with Corsa approvals; the administrator and finance staff will return with appropriation and procurement items as work proceeds.
