Scott County makes repairs to courthouse roof

BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County is fixing a hole where the rain gets in.

During their regular meeting Thursday, Scott County commissioners Jamie Burger and Donnie Kiefer looked over roof repairs that were slated to be completed today.

Kiefer said the roof problems were discovered around the time interior renovations were made to the courthouse in 2008.

After 13 inches of rain fell that March, "we began noticing a few leaks upstairs, and it continued to leak," he said.

Earlier this year, Kiefer recalled, he and Don Jones, county maintenance supervisor, went into the three-foot crawl space between the original roof and the current roof for the main upper structure of the courthouse "to see what might be causing the leak."

"That's when we determined there was a lot of damage to roof joists and decking from the water and dampness," he said. "In order to repair the leaks, we had to redeck the perimeter and the joists on the perimeter of the roof, about eight feet around the perimeter. That will take care of it."

Repairs by Brandon Williams Construction of Cape Girardeau began Oct. 26. The bid for the project came in at $41,000, Kiefer said, "so it won't be any more than that."

Commissioners said they were pleased with the way the work has progressed.

"The roof looks good," Burger said. "I think it will last a long time when we're done -- and it will make the roof structurally sound."

"As long as it doesn't leak we're in good shape," County Clerk Rita Milam said.

In addition to fixing the leaks and structure, "it improves our drainage system on the roof," Burger noted.