Maintenance department presents $590K façade repair and other FY27 capital requests

As part of the FY27 budget hearings on April 10, Maintenance Director Tyler Kelly presented a multi‑item capital outlay request that included a large façade repair at the Curry County Detention Center and a series of facility and fleet replacements.

Kelly told commissioners the detention center’s stone façade is failing, allowing water intrusion and creating a safety hazard from loose pieces; the recommended repair using a faux‑stone veneer and metal cap was estimated at $590,866.59. He described a problematic roof junction over the clerk’s office that requires a full replacement of the affected section at an estimated $199,714.50. Kelly also requested replacement doors for the district attorney’s office ($13,378.10), LVT flooring for the post office area ($16,843.25), and two pickup trucks (estimates $51,919.35 and $70,773.60, the latter with plow) to replace aging, high‑hour units.

Commissioners discussed alternatives and sequencing. One commissioner asked whether synthetic stucco or other cheaper trims might preserve safety while reducing cost; Kelly said the presented option was the least expensive that preserved the building’s current appearance, but staff would investigate cheaper options. County Manager Lance Pyle noted funding constraints and that many requests will require reserves or prioritization in the preliminary budget; he warned of other large requests coming in subsequent meetings.

The commission did not adopt final funding levels during the hearing but approved two immediate maintenance items later in the meeting (transfer to replace the DA doors and replace the Giddings Street post office flooring), directing staff to use available grant match reserves to proceed.