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Grant County approves $321,385.88 for courthouse elevator brakes, fire alarm and step treads
Summary
The Grant County Council approved $321,385.88 to replace courthouse elevator brakes, update the county complex fire alarm panel, install aluminum treads on courthouse steps and add sprinklers at the Salem Bank building. Commissioners said elevator parts are on order, with a long lead time for manufacture.
Grant County commissioners and the county council on Wednesday approved a $321,385.88 package of repairs and safety upgrades for county facilities, voting by voice after a period of discussion and public comment.
The funding covers replacement elevator brakes (about $41,009.76) that county staff said are being manufactured overseas, a new fire alarm control panel for the county complex ($116,800), aluminum treads for the courthouse steps ($46,800) and sprinkler work for the Salem Bank building (roughly $115,008). Commissioner Middlesworth told the council the elevator parts have a roughly 26‑week lead time and that the county has begun the procurement process.
"If it costs more money to get the parts here, we'll do that," Middlesworth said, explaining the urgency tied to ADA access and courthouse operations. The maintenance director added that the new treads are custom‑made and expected to last decades.
Public commenter Bridal Howell pressed officials on the broader cost of elevator repair and urged the county to explore whether domestic manufacturing or competitive sourcing could lower prices. "Is there any way we can incentivize these manufacturers to come here and just make the elevators?" she asked.
Council members discussed temporary accommodations while the elevator is out, including use of basement entrances and metal detectors, and debated the security and accessibility tradeoffs. The item passed on a voice vote; no roll‑call tally or recorded dissent appeared in the transcript.
The council indicated some items were already ordered and that the maintenance staff had solicited bids. Commissioners said they will move forward with the work and monitor lead times and installation schedules.
