Resident raises alarm about courthouse records; council hears $35,000 repair estimate and notes clerk of court authority

A Fairfield County resident used the June 8 council public-comment period to press officials to protect courthouse records and reconsider a $34,000 funding request for a new glass vault door.

Karen Dardy, who identified herself as a Lebanon-area resident, described the courthouse records office vault door as previously operable except for a drilled-out lock and said county records “are not being protected from fire, water, or smoke.” She urged council to consider reopening the original door, repair the lock and use county carpentry staff or existing contractors rather than paying for a full new installation. Dardy said the clerk of court had requested funding to digitize records, which she supported, but she questioned the cost for the glass vault door and urged inspection and remedial work.

During clerk/council time Councilmember Kop returned to the issue and asked for an update. County Administrator Mr. Carpenter said the county obtained an estimate from the contractor that worked on the courthouse renovation to restore the vault door and remodel the service desk to allow the door to swing; he cited a figure of “approximately $35,000.” Carpenter said the conversation about a glass door was newer and that the county did not have prepared pricing for that option.

Administrator Carpenter emphasized that the clerk of court is the entity that makes decisions about the courthouse building: “neither the county council nor myself can make a decision. we can just choose to recommend a decision and then to fund a decision, but as far as making the decision happen, that's constitutionally not something in our purview.” He said the county could recommend funding but cannot compel changes to the courthouse without the clerk’s approval.

Council and staff also discussed warranty concerns if county crews altered work done under the courthouse renovation contract. Carpenter said staff would follow up to confirm whether the $35,000 estimate included a lock replacement and to clarify options for less-costly interventions.

The matter remains unresolved: the council heard the public comment and a staff update; the clerk of court’s decision and any final funding plan were not recorded in the June 8 meeting minutes.