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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com

The Carter County Budget Committee will consider more than $1.3 million in courthouse improvements that could improve gutters and replace windows at the historic building.

The Carter County Building and Grounds Committee voted Tuesday to approve $1.337 million in projects. The budget committee, which meets Nov. 8, will review the recommendations.

“There are a lot of projects going on and it’s like a snowball effect because every time we turn around, there is something else needed,” said Mayor Patty Woodby.

The projects include $205,600 for replacing metal gutters and cornice trim and $711,500 for replacing all 113 exterior windows.

“This is something (guttering) that has been going on for the last four or five meetings, as we were waiting on materials cost,” said Vice Chairman Isaiah Grindstaff, who said his only concern is that the gutters meet historic district guidelines.

The guttering will have to be hand-rolled on-site, installed by cranes, and then painted.

Carter County Maintenance Supervisor Ron Kirby said while cranes are in place to install gutters, replacing windows makes good sense.

“In Randall Lewis’ office, the windows have some really bad draft problems,” Kirby said. “The framework has rotted out and the windows are ready to fall out. A lot of the storm windows throughout the courthouse are also way too short.”

The proposed windows satisfy the requirements for the courthouse in regard to the historical district, Kirby said. A certificate of approval will be sought from the historical committee before installation.

The committee also approved a project to renovate the second-floor financial department area for a cost of $312,327. The plan includes converting a spare conference room into three offices and creating a space for software and computer storage, as well as adding two new heating and air units.
Woodby said the project would add much-needed privacy for department employees who handle critical finance issues as well as HR and payroll concerns raised by other employees.

Other business addressed by the committee included:
– An update on the Sluder Property. Woodby said several residents had complained about runoff into the road when rains came as well as trash being dumped behind the property. Work has been done to resolve the runoff issue and the trash has been cleaned up. Also, underpinning will be done to the structure. Woodby advised that a closer eye will be kept on the property.
– An update on the ADA transition plan, which is almost complete. Floor plans of all buildings owned by Carter County have now been converted to digital.
– Reports that $20 million dollars has been placed in Gov. Bill Lee’s budget for the Workforce Development Complex to be turned into a centralized CTE location for Carter County Schools. Also, a $1 million dollar grant from TVA has been submitted and the outlook is good for the county to receive the grant.
– An update that the restroom project at the courthouse is slated to start next week as all material is on site.
– Confirmation that equipment has been ordered to provide live stream for the courtroom however the shipping date has yet to be determined due to shipping delays.
– An update on efforts to revamp the RFP for the radio system, which is being done by Commissioner Aaron Frazier.
– An update that the new door for the Chancellor has been completed. New bricking is being placed on the front steps and planning will be moved in the next two weeks to their new building where a new parking lot has been completed.