By Sara Strong
Beyond its popular aesthetics, the Rock County Courthouse is the hub of county government activity.
Unfortunately, it’s also outdated and costly in some regards.
A private firm has spent a few months studying the Rock County Courthouse and came up with some projects that would make the county more efficient. Johnson Controls presented its findings and a proposal to the Rock County Board of Commissioners Tuesday.
Commissioners didn’t indicate they favored all components of Johnson Control’s proposal for the courthouse, highway building and Family Services, which came at a cost of $801,000. That figure includes a maintenance agreement.
First, the courthouse boiler is almost 40 years old and was converted from a steam to hot water boiler years ago. There is no back-up heat source and a new boiler system would improve energy efficiency.
Humidity in the courthouse is also an issue, so an upgraded cooling system is also a part of the proposal for the courthouse.
The county can elect to use parts of the proposal instead of "all or nothing."
Other parts of the Johnson Controls proposal were lighting retrofits to brighter, whiter light; increasing heating and cooling receivers for specific areas of the courthouse that aren’t currently reached effectively; ventilation improvements, and Highway Department garage radiant heat installation.
Johnson Controls said the most important upgrades would be the mechanical improvements, heating and moisture control.
When the courthouse was last remodeled in 1987 improved ventilation and a new boiler were included in the plans, but because of budget strains, were deleted from the final project.
The county can bond for up to $295,000 of the costs and finance the rest through Johnson Controls.
The Board of Commissioners will discuss the proposal at its next board meeting to include Ron Boyenga, who was absent Tuesday, in the discussion.
In other business Tuesday, the board:
Proclaimed April 2 through 9 as Stomp Out Youth Tobacco Use week. Rock County 4-H Ambassadors Sarah Nath, Lindsy Sells and Lindsay Den Herder made the request to the board. They are planning youth activities for the Stomp Out week.
Accepted a request from Holli Arp, director of the University of Minnesota Extension in Rock County, to hire a summer intern.
Arp said, "We just feel we need something to keep our 4-H program strong."
The intern will cost about $830 more than budgeted, but with Fraser Norton leaving, Arp said the budget will more than make up for it. It’s still not known whether the University will fill his position.
oApproved a pursuit policy from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office. Essentially, the policy asks officers to use their judgment based on individual circumstances. Sheriff Mike Winkels said the department is probably involved in three pursuits a year.
"The guys use their discretion really well," he said.
Winkels said the level of crime is a major factor in determining whether to pursue a vehicle that is clearly avoiding law enforcement.
Sometimes officers are able to know who they are pursuing and can use measures other than vehicle chases to apprehend suspects.
The policy is reviewed annually. The board requested to hear from Winkels after three deputies were involved in an accident during a pursuit.
