Commissioners approve $199,000 allocation to start Otis elevator upgrades after ADA concern

The Bourbon County Commission voted Dec. 18 to authorize a notice‑to‑proceed for Otis to perform elevator modernization work at the courthouse and to allocate approximately $199,000 from the jail (sales) tax fund (fund 3.70) to pay for the project.

Speaker 3 summarized Otis’s proposal, which the presenter said covered replacement of the elevator control elements and other equipment to bring the unit up to current codes (including NFPA and NEC references stated during the review). The bid cited by the presenter was roughly $199,000, with Otis requiring 50% upfront to initiate a formal notice to proceed. Speaker 3 recommended pulling the money from fund 3.70 (jail/sales tax fund) and moved that allocation; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote with at least one vocal opposing 'Aye' recorded during roll call.

Chief Judge Amy Hart (Speaker 5) described the outage as an ADA access issue and referenced potential regulatory concerns for court operations, stating that the current outage is an ADA issue and a likely 1910.4 compliance problem for the county. Commissioners stated they expected parts to arrive and some short‑term repairs sooner than the six‑week mobilization window quoted for notice to proceed.

The commission directed Commissioner Milburn and county staff to work with judiciary staff to limit operational disruption while the vendor mobilizes. The motion authorized staff to issue the notice to proceed and to allocate funds from the identified fund number.