(Photo via Pexels).
A new $250,000 elevator for the Cortland County Courthouse was discussed at Tuesday’s Buildings and Grounds meeting.
Legislators on Tuesday unanimously approved recommendation of a potentially new elevator unanimously. The County Legislature as a whole will vote on this item at its session at 6 p.m. Sept. 22.
County administrator Rob Corpora noted the project should come from the 2023 Cortland County budget.
“We can use the unappropriated fund balance,” he said. “If we do get grant funding, we can use that and not use fund balance.”
The elevator is one of several upgrades planned to renovate the County Courthouse. Some of these projects include roof renovations, as well as an overhaul to the building’s storied steps.
Although the project does not have a specific timeline, County buildings and grounds director Chuck Miller said the installation company has said this project is “the next in line.”
“Kone installation crews came down, they wanted to make sure everything is correct and ready to get this project off the ground,” he said. “As soon as their draft of what they have to do to the unit is done. Having this resolution can speed up the ordering process and get that accepted.”
Legislator Ann Homer (D-LD-7) asked if the project would be covered with state money typically earmarked for projects involving the court system. Miller noted the county could receive 25 percent of 72 percent of whatever the county spends on the project since it is an improvement covered by the state court system. Otherwise, Miller said, the county could look for further grant funding.
Other legislators asked about any potential historical value the system may have.
“Is there any historical value to the Cortland County Historical Society? Would they want to keep any of it, before it gets taken out and trashed?,” Legislator Minority Leader Beau Harbin (D-LD-2) asked.
