Commissioners plan photos, museum outreach and records storage as old courthouse mold concern grows

Commissioners and staff discussed next steps for the county's old courthouse, where black mold in the basement and aging materials prompted calls to document, salvage and secure records.

Staff said the historical society will take photographs of artifacts and contact museums about taking items; commissioners voiced interest in a plaque or framed display in the courthouse hallway. They also discussed whether to salvage architectural elements and to write contracts limiting liability if volunteers remove materials.

On records, the board reviewed retention obligations — including that some materials (for example, certain law-enforcement records) must be retained long-term — and discussed options to move damaged files to sealed offsite storage or to digitize documents so originals may be legally destroyed where permitted. Staff will prepare a scope and cost estimate for digitization or secure storage and return with recommendations.