County considers replacing annex
Commissioners looking at recently vacated credit union building
by Brent Shrum, Kootenai Valley Record
December 16, 2009
Lincoln County officials are taking a look at the recently vacated Lincoln County Credit Union building at the corner of Fifth Street and California Avenue as a possible replacement the county annex on Mineral Avenue.
Concerns with the current annex include aging electrical, heating and ventilation systems as well as security issues and lack of parking space. Recent letters to the county commissioners from county maintenance head Ken Boyd and Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield both promote the credit union building’s potential for county offices. The commissioners discussed the matter at their meeting last Wednesday.
"I thought if we’re going to be talking about it, then we should get it out in the light of day and do a balanced review," said Commissioner Tony Berget.
Lincoln County purchased the building at 418 Mineral Ave. from the Forest Service in 1976. Electrician Ron Langley noted in a recent letter to the commissioners that the wiring in the building is 50 years old and that the power system is undersized for current needs. Boyd pointed out in his letter that the plumbing in the building is also in poor condition, and Sheffield brought up security concerns as well as discomfort to staff and the public brought on by heating and cooling problems.
Berget proposed that the county look into its options and compare the cost of upgrading the current annex to buying the credit union building.
"I think it’s well worth entertaining doing this, but also there’s a significant cost in this," said Commissioner John Konzen.
The credit union moved earlier this month to a new building at the corner of Sixth Street and Commerce Way. The new 9,000 square foot facility includes a community room for financial education sessions and a consumer resource area with two computers offering internet access.
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Editor’s Note: See the December 15, 2009 edition of the Kootenai Valley Record for the printed version of this story. The Kootenai Valley Record publishes once a week, on Tuesdays, in Libby, Montana. They are a locally owned community newspaper, located at 403 Mineral Avenue in Libby. For in-county and out-of-county subscription information, call 406-293-2424, or e-mail kvrecord@gmail.com
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