Local residents hear county office relocation proposals

Some Lincoln County residents heard the county’s first discussions about its attempt to consolidate some of its offices at a meeting last week.

The Ponderosa Room in the City of Libby building was full of residents who had plenty of questions and statements in regard to possibly using the former Asa Wood School for county offices.

Increased parking and convenience for county residents were the main talking points from county employees who made their cases for consolidation.

“The biggest complaints, other than property taxes, we hear from residents is bouncing between offices and going up and down stairs,” Treasurer Sedaris Carlberg said.

County Health Department Director Kathi Hooper said she and Probation Officer Vanessa Williamson talk frequently about the limitations of their space in the Annex building on Mineral Avenue.

“We’ve had the public tell us they’ve had to walk multiple blocks to get to our office because there was no parking and there are times people have to go to multiple buildings for services for one matter,” Hooper said.

Williamson said a larger space for providing chemical dependency treatment and for people in crisis beyond the jail or hospital would be beneficial.

“The three biggest concerns of residents are alcohol and drug addiction, asbestos-related diseases and mental health, so having more space to work with people with addiction and mental health issues would be very beneficial,” Williamson said.

County Election Administrator Melanie Howell said she had several reasons for wanting to be in a different location.

“The security and safety of elections, internet access, more restrooms would be very helpful,” Howell said. “The internet goes out quite a bit because of our location, people can’t use the elevator at all times because it must be locked at certain times for security.”

County Sheriff Darren Short said his office wouldn’t move, but if others did go to another location, it would allow it to create more space for some of the things it needs to do.

“Our jail has 25 beds and we’ve had as many as 52 people in there,” Short said. “Our rec area has become an overflow area and it’s difficult for programs to be done. And we’re not ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.”

Andy Arnold, the founder of Pioneer Development Company in Durango, Colorado, is doing the feasibility study on the proposed move of county offices.

The county secured a grant for the study through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities Program. According to the agency, the program helps communities understand risks associated with contaminated or potentially contaminated properties, called brownfields, and learn how to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse them.

The EPA funds three organizations, including Kansas State University, to serve as independent sources of technical assistance. Kansas State works with EPA Region 8, which includes Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Colorado, North Dakota and South Dakota. One of Kansas State’s partners is Pioneer Development.

Asa Wood has underwent extensive remediation. District 1 Commissioner Brent Teske said at last week’s meeting that developer Compass Health has completed cleanup work there. Compass bought the building from Libby Schools in January.

Arnold said while Asa Wood was the top option for a new county office building because of its central location, there were others considered.

“Asa Wood has 44,000 square feet and with the growth that has occurred here and is projected to occur, the county may need 21 to 69 new full-time employees based upon growth predictions,” Arnold said. “With that amount of growth, the county may need 40,000 to 67,000 square feet of space for employees.”

Arnold said Lincoln County has had 4.43% population growth in the last few years and if its projected growth continues, the population may reach 25,000 residents by 2030.

Many questioned where the money would come from to pay for the work to renovate Asa Wood.

“There hasn’t been a cost estimate yet, but this is an opportunity to hear from the public if the data doesn’t match up,” Arnold said. “The state limits how much money you can collect in property taxes, so it’s also opportunity for a voter-approved levy.”

Local attorney Ann German said educating the public about the county’s plans is critical.

“You have to educate the public that money has to be spent for these services,” German said. “It’s a miracle we haven’t been sued over the jail situation.”

Arnold said an architect would need to be consulted to gain a better understanding of what the proposed project may cost. He also said he hoped to submit a report of his findings in mid-October.

Teske explained that the meeting was a first step for community members to share their thoughts on what they’d like to see done.

Teske said another public meeting could be held and he also said a committee would be formed and information about who to contact would be provided.

Others attending the meeting mentioned concerns about doing more work on the Asa Wood site due to flooding. Ice jams at the Flower Creek bridge have led to flooding in the area in 1974, 1997 and 2011.

Some also said they hoped the discussion would continue about the school being converted into senior housing or assisted living.

There was also discussion about offices moving into the building where the Lincoln County campus of Flathead Valley Community College is located or on Port Authority property. But the community college wasn’t recommended as an option.

But Asa Wood was deemed the No. 1 spot due to its central location and accessibility to community residents.