Marshall County’s efforts to engage voters in the upcoming courthouse bond election are now well underway. An informational pamphlet was mailed to everyone in the county last week, and early this week, five public meetings were held in various towns around the county.
The vote scheduled for Tuesday, August 8 will ask voters to support a $5 million bond referendum to fund repairs and renovations to the existing courthouse and a courthouse expansion. At the first informational meeting held on Monday in Britton, ISG Engineering Architect Josh Muckenhirn noted that the county has spent the last year researching how best to invest in the courthouse. A comprehensive facility assessment was undertaken to evaluate the overall physical condition of the building and its systems.
Muckenhirn noted that while the ‘bones’ of the building are fairly good, there are some concerns with the 115 year old structure. He pointed to cracking and crumbling on certain parts of the building, drainage issues outside the courthouse, various spots of water damage, as well as issues with the mechanical system.
Beyond those concerns, there are three big areas the county hopes to address: increasing safety and security, improving accessibility, and adding needed space. The literature recently sent to county residents detailed these three areas as follows: To Increase Safety and Security- The current 911 dispatch center does not meet State security requirements impacting the safety of the staff. There is a need to secure and maintain permanent public records on file at the courthouse for citizen use. The County Sheriff’s office has three holding cells that are only accessible through public hallways and stairways. Transferring inmates or accessing the courthouse impacts the privacy and safety of inmates and the public.
Under the proposed expansion plan a new attached building would be added to the southeast side of the courthouse. It would create space for a secure 911 dispatch department and staff offices. It would also include holding cells, a commission/conference room, a secure garage area and evidence room.
Improve Accessibility- The courthouse is not in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) code requirements, preventing citizens with mobility issues from accessing government offices. There is no existing elevator in the building now. There are currently no restrooms on the second floor. An elevator and second floor restrooms would be added under the new plan.
Add More Space- The County Sheriff’s office houses all of their operations, including 911 dispatch and the three inmate holding cells, in undersized rooms causing safety risks and logistical challenges. The Treasurer’s Office has inadequate space, impacting the ability to efficiently assist the public. The Treasurer’s office will be moved from second floor to the first floor in the space the sheriff’s office would vacate.
Other renovations to the current building would add more storage space for various departments, electrical and IT adjustments, and handicap accessible bathrooms on the first floor.
This is not the first time in recent years that the county has tried to pass a measure to do something with the courthouse. About five years ago, Marshall County voters said no to a bond that would have led to the courthouse being torn down in favor of a new building. County officials noted that people were not eager to tear down a historical building.
“The previous election was aimed at constructing a new building and jail, not historical preservation,” said Muckenhirn, who is himself an expert in architecture. “The current bond is to preserve the current facility, maintain the building and add a new building.”
The proposed plan would cost an estimated $9.6 million. County Auditor Megan Biel explained that the county plans to contribute $4.6 million coming from reserve funds, grants and donations. That would mean the residents would be on the hook for $5 million. The resulting property tax increase of the bond referendum was also discussed.
For a property owner who has $100,000 in taxable value, they would see an annual increase of $32.45 to their taxes. With $400,000 in property, the owner would see a $129.81 annual increase. Biel added that property owners can figure their specific tax increase by multiplying their taxable value times .000325. (Biel noted that people must consider taxable value NOT assessed value.)
During the course of the first informational meeting on Monday, several questions were posited to county officials and Muckenhirn. One person asked why a jail isn’t in the plan. Muckenhirn and Biel explained that option was explored but would have required even more added space, plus an additional five to six employees and amounted to more than the current cost of jailing prisoners in Day or Roberts Counties.
When someone asked the county employees why or why not they felt the project was a good idea, Sheriff Sam Swanson explained that he is concerned for employees and the public’s safety. “The 911 area needs to be secure. That is a want but also a need.”
Biel added that she often sees people struggle due to accessibility. “Some people are afraid to get on that wheelchair lift to go to the upper floors,” she said. She added that the first floor lift is actually no longer serviceable and would need to be replaced anyway should it fail. Biel also said that she regularly sees several people waiting outside the treasurer’s office as only one or two people fit in there at a time.
When asked about the disruption of services during the construction process, Biel said that most offices could move in a day or work from another location temporarily with not much extra effort required. Muckenhirn said that they would work with the contractor on sequencing in order to assure the fewest services interruptions possible.
Regarding when construction could start, Muckenhirn estimated as early as next spring. He was hesitant to guess how long the project would take to complete though since that would depend on the contractors. He wagered a guess of 12 months for both the renovation and the addition.
Britton Mayor Clyde Fredrickson added his opinion to the meeting, explaining he was against the previous plan to get rid of the courthouse, but is in favor of this plan. “You have to spend the money to keep the building up or you’ll have to spend money to replace it anyway,” he said. “This cost is part of being able to continue to provide services to the people of the county.”
More information about the plan, including floor plans and the tax increase table can be found on the county’s website: marshall.sdcounties.org.
The voter registration deadline to vote in the August 8 bond election is July 24. To register or confirm your polling location, visit: vip.sdsos. gov/VIPLogin.aspx.
