Building upgrades to cost county $7.5 million

NORWALK — The Huron County Board of Commissioners heard more on the condition of its buildings and continued a ditch agreement with Crawford County. Commissioners received a detailed report in this week's meeting from Chris Monnin, chief operating officer for Garmann Miller, the board's engineering firm. Monnin detailed inspections made to several county-owned buildings, chiefly the commissioners' administration building, 180 Milan Ave., the Huron County Treasurer's office, 16 E. Main St., and the Huron County Courthouse, 2 E. Main St. According to Monnin's report, the three buildings will require upgrades and repairs totaling $7,548,986.28 over six or more years. "This building is in decent shape," Monnin said of the administration building. Monnin added, however, significant repairs are necessary, including the elevator, which does not meet federal Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for interior space, and the antiquated heating and air conditioning system. The engineering firm's assessment shows that the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is expected to cost the county $2,066,875 in expenses over the next six-plus years. The elevator, which is being funded under a claim with the county's insurance group, the County Risk Sharing Association. The elevator claim with CORSA is estimated at more than $500,000. "The long and the short of this building is that the bones are good," Monnin said. He noted that the administration building is in proper shape to serve the citizens of Huron County for many years to come. Board Vice President Harry Brady asked Monnin if he would generate more specifically detailed plans regarding the upgrade of the building's HVAC system, since the matter is timely, regarding the onset of winter and the rate at which work can be expected to progress. Monnin agreed to do so. The engineering firm's report on its assessment of the Huron County Courthouse revealed necessary upgrades and repairs to the building projected at the six-year figure to be $1,703,372.50. The major items listed were HVAC, interior lighting, security systems and plumbing and fixtures. Monnin said the report recommended repairs, mostly to piping, that would allow the courthouse to reopen previously closed restrooms. Commissioner Terry Boose and Commission President Skip Wilde commented that the courthouse should be considered a showplace among Huron County buildings. "It is our courthouse and should be a prize building; something to be proud of," said Boose. Wilde said, "We want it to be a 'wow.'" The Huron County Treasurer's office, the report showed, is expected to need $2,096,997.50 in work over the same time period, largely centered on plumbing and fixtures, security, roofing and technology hardware for the building. In another matter, the board participated in a conference call with the Crawford County Board of Commissioners, both groups voting to extend their partnership in shared ditch maintenance. Huron County Ditch Maintenance Supervisor Aaron Robinson also attended, reporting to the board that scheduled herbicide spraying of ditches has been going according to schedule and that chemical prices have taken a drastic increase for the current year. "Ditches look decent this year," Robinson said, but added, "Everything is going up in price. It's crazy expensive." Costs for chemicals such as glyphosate and 2-4-D have increased greatly he said. "The amount I'm asking for this year has gone up," Robinson told commissioners. "The spray price pretty much doubled this year."