(Spirit Lake)– After weeks of discussion, the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors voted three-to-nothing today (Wed.) for County Attorney-elect Rosalise Olson to locate her offices in the former Farm Bureau Building west of the courthouse. The motion came on the heels of some heated comments, in which Olson herself expressed frustration over the supervisors lack of action up until now.
The motion, made by supervisor Wayne Northey, is to have the mold cleaned from the basement walls and woodwork for 1,896-dollars…with the existing woodwork to remain in place. The firm is to return in a couple of weeks to make sure the mold hasn’t returned. The cleaning is to include the ductwork in the building’s heating and cooling system.
But Rich Mier, a former prosecuting attorney from Emmet county, who was at the meeting, expressed concern over that. He’s concerned it may not be enough…and wondered what would happen if the mold should come back and workers in the office would become sick. Mier says the county could be held liable.
But supervisor June Goldman emphasized this would strictly be a temporary solution while they look for a more long-term site for the office.
But Mier expressed concern over that as well, saying it will be extremely difficult for the County Attorney to have to move again . He says the disruption would be very detrimental.
Northey’s motion also directs courthouse custodian Don Reed to restore and repair the existing handicap ramp on the front of the former Farm Bureau Building; to have R & D Industries of Milford look at what’s needed for a computer system; and that the building’s electrical and phone systems be evaluated. Olson said she’ll come back with that information on Tuesday.
On somewhat of a related issue, Mier also made reference to the fact the county paid 110-thousand dollars to purchase the former Farm Bureau Building when an appraiser had assessed its value at only 85-thousand. The supervisors had no response.
