Winneshiek County board approves $~9,000 security bollard and railing work from existing maintenance funds

The Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors voted to accept vendor quotations for courthouse security work, approving replacement railings and the installation of permanent bollards to protect the annex and old jail after a recent security audit.

Adam Clark presented two vendor quotations and a plan for nine bollards targeted at critical access points. Clark said the county has funds available in building repair-and-maintenance and the courthouse security line: "Currently, we have in the operating budget ... $108,771," he said, and noted about $14,878.27 remained in the courthouse security account. Clark provided two vendor prices: Northeast Iowa Metal Works at $9,260.10 and Skyline Construction at $9,530.

Clark, Sheriff Marks and emergency manager Sean Snyder described site visits that identified the highest-priority locations. Clark said the work would use existing budget lines rather than new county funds and emphasized durability and maintenance considerations, including removable protective sleeves for bollards to ease snow removal.

Supervisors discussed aesthetics and placement; one supervisor asked if brown sleeves were available to blend with the site, and Clark said sleeves can be specified in darker colors. After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to accept the quotations and move forward. The chair called for the vote; the board voiced its approval and the motion passed.

Clark said he would contact the two vendors to finalize signatures and begin scheduling fabrication and installation as weather permits.

The board did not appropriate new funds for the work at the meeting; staff said the purchase would be charged to existing building repair and courthouse security budget lines.