County updates officeholders on courthouse

Bollinger County Commissioners met Monday with other elected officeholders to discuss the condition of the courthouse. The treasurer, recorder, circuit clerk, collector and county clerk also discussed the commission's intention to have a town hall meeting later to thoroughly inform voters of their choices.

Since last week's county commission meeting, there have been several changes, according to District 2 Commissioner Chad Hulvey. Last week commissioners were considering an assortment of possible buildings to buy or rent so the business of the county would continue while the current building was either renovated or torn down.

"It looks like it's been narrowed down to two buildings," Hulvey said, "Midwest Sports or Dr. John Englehart's old building."

Also since last week, Englehart has indicated that he would consider selling or renting his former clinic; his initial offer was to rent it. An offer to buy the former Presbyterian church to house the district court is ongoing as well.

"Churches have boards and committees," Presiding Commissioner Leo Arnzen said, "and they move slow."

He added that negotiations to buy the church are moving forward.

"The first thing we have to do is get everybody out of here," Hulvey said.

The engineers who inspected the building at first considered condemning the courthouse the day they found the defects, but refrained from saying so publicly, Hulvey said. The county did, however, move trials to Marble Hill City Hall to lessen the strain on the second floor of the 130-year-old building.

Once the building has been evacuated, Arnzen said, the soil has to be tested to determine if it can support a structure. If it can, then voters will decide to renovate or rebuild.

Treasurer Scott Minson said he has been hearing people say they will not support a new building. He suggested the commissioners provide detailed cost figures when they speak to the public.

Collector Nonie Cowell offered her support for saving the old building.

"All over the country people are changing buildings, tearing down statues," Cowell said. "They're trying to do away with history."

Preserving history is desirable, but voters will have to decide how much they're willing to pay for it. Arnzen said an engineer told him that restoring the building would involve pouring concrete pillars at all four corners of the property for added support. Restoring it would also mean rewiring, new plumbing and adding new internet connections.

Minson and the other officeholders support the commissioners' plan to hold a town hall meeting, but suggested that a building expert or another informed person host it so communication flows freely.

County Clerk Brittany Howard added another point for voters to keep in mind: "What if we can't build anything here? Where will it be?"