Adams County commissioners spent part of their June 2 meeting reviewing two renovation options for a courthouse storage room, a project tied to long‑planned improvements for preserving county records. The presentation marked the first time the full scope and cost of the work was outlined publicly.
Facilities manager Rick described Option One as a climate‑control and electrical upgrade package. It includes a Mitsubishi heat‑pump system, LED lighting changes, smoke detectors, window tinting, and interior demolition. The estimated cost is about $36,435.61, not including shelving or the labor needed to move records into the renovated space.
Option Two adds a full fire‑suppression system. Because the courthouse’s existing fire‑alarm panel is at capacity, the upgrade would require a new panel before suppression equipment could be installed. Rick said the fire‑suppression portion alone was “about 90,000,” and he verbally referenced “the 80,000” for the fire panel upgrade. With those additions, the total package rises to about $215,876.33. Shelving and file relocation remain additional costs.
Auditor Tony Mellencamp reminded commissioners that the county has about $285,000 in ARPA funds earmarked for the storage project and related alternatives. The higher‑cost option would exceed what remains available once shelving and moving expenses are included, meaning any shortfall would require another funding source.
Commissioners also discussed the practical difference between the two approaches. The courthouse sits only minutes from the Decatur Fire Department, a factor they said weighs heavily when considering whether a full suppression system is necessary. Option One includes smoke detection but relies on emergency response rather than automated suppression.
Rick said he will review the proposed layout with Clerk Shelly Brite, who helped determine storage capacity needs. He noted that an alternative location once considered would have offered slightly more space, but the current room remains workable.
The commissioners took no action, saying they want more time to review the numbers. The project matters to the community because it affects long‑term preservation of public records and determines how remaining federal relief dollars are spent before deadlines close.