During Monday’s Carroll County Board of Supervisor meeting, members were tasked with reviewing an estimate presented for the installation of a public elevator in the new jail. This item had been scaled down to the shaft only as a money-saving option earlier in the process, but concerns were raised about Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, the potential for a higher price tag in the future and changes in specifications that may make the shaft obsolete before a car can be installed. Current estimates for the second elevator range from $115,000 to $120,000 for the footing changes and knock-outs on each floor. Dean Schettler expressed his concerns.
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Stephanie Hausman agreed.
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Neil Bock voiced a completely different opinion.
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Gene Meiners said he personally believes if they don’t do it now it will never get done.
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Chair, Rich Ruggles, said his whole view on this topic has changed over the course of the last week. He too is hesitant to spend the money because the county’s income could change in the next three months. However, their financing options have brought the project costs closer to the initial estimates. He added he agrees wholeheartedly with Bock, but also agrees with the other three supervisors that if they don’t do it now, they will only run into other problems that will dramatically increase the cost. Hausman made a motion to include the second elevator in the jail project. The motion passed on a vote of four in favor and one, Bock, against.