Fiscal Court To Hold Meeting To Discuss Future Of Courthouse

The Adair County Fiscal Court will hold a public meeting next week to get ideas for the future and use of the historic building.
Adair County Judge Executive Ann Melton and the members of fiscal court are inviting residents to a public meeting on Tuesday, June 30th at 6:00 pm to hear ideas for the use of the courthouse.
The meeting will be held in the basement of the Adair County Annex Building.
"The purpose of the meeting is to get ideas from the public about how the building can remain and asset for Columbia and Adair County without being a financial burden to the taxpayers," stated Judge Melton.
According to Judge Melton the heating unit for the building is broken and needs to be replaced, so a decision needs to be made quickly.
The court has discussed the heating problems several times and has made the necessary repairs as they developed but according to Judge Melton at this point the unit is beyond repair.
Judge Melton was looking for estimates to replace the heating unit, which is expected to cost the county somewhere around $100,000.
But Melton stated if the building is taken back down to original size the cost would be considerably less.
In addition, the building has water leaks on the four corner additions that were constructed back in the 70's.
"One idea the court has come up with is to take the four corners off the building, since this is the area where all of the problems are occurring, which would take the building back to it's original design and would increase the green space," commented Judge Melton.
Melton also stated that Lindsey Wilson College had discussed utilizing the building, but there have not been any further talks with the college concerning the building.
The Adair County Courthouse was designed by William Henry Judson and was constructed in 1886 and is listed on the National Register of Historical Landmarks.