Building services flags facility costs; Justice Center water bills may climb to $100,000

Kenny Schmidt, director of Building Services, walked supervisors through operating budgets for the courthouse, Hoyt building, Anthem courthouse, TriView facility and the new Law Enforcement Center (LEC). He said utilities and repairs drive most variability in building budgets and noted some one‑time items and anticipated maintenance.

Schmidt highlighted several items: a proposed $30,000 line for auditor carpet replacement, building repairs at the Anthem courthouse (sidewalk/doors/ceilings), and a $45,000 cooler related to an upcoming medical examiner/morgue project. The board agreed to remove the $45,000 copier/cooler request from Schmidt’s operating budget so it will be addressed as a separate medical examiner/board item.

On the LEC, Schmidt said water and sewer usage has unexpectedly grown and recommended increasing the line from the initially budgeted $77,200 to roughly $100,000 to avoid shortfalls. Supervisors voted to receive building services budgets and accepted an amendment increasing the LEC water/sewer line to $100,000 to reflect current usage patterns.