By The Telegram

During Tuesday’s regular meeting, the Finney County Commission will hear a report about the condition of the county Exhibition Building’s roof and discuss whether to move forward with a renovation project.

In November the commission postponed putting the project out for bids due to concerns about the roof. The estimated $707,000 project would include work on south and east vestibules, doors, insulation retro-fit, unit heaters, lights and paint.

According to the architect’s report included in the county’s meeting information packet, a recent inspection of the Exhibition Building found the 37-year-old roof is in good condition and should be serviceable for quite awhile. Inspectors observed some minimal hail damage, and indicated the skylights are still serviceable with little degradation from ultraviolet light.

County Administrator Randy Partington said part of Monday’s discussion will concern how to pay for the project.

The county has about $339,000 saved in a capital reserve fund from previous budget years that were meant for building maintenance, he said. Additional funding could come from the county’s sales tax. The county collects about $850,000 per year in sales tax and spends about $800,000 per year on road projects and building upkeep.

“The funding for the exhibition building will probably need to take place over at least two years of funding (2013 and 2014) by using the amount currently on hand, and then using other reserves or rearranging projects that are funded by the sales tax,” Partington said. “I am not sure how much the commission is willing to spend for the project.”

In other business Tuesday, the commission will hear monthly reports from the health department, emergency medical services and public works; consider a Youth Services grant application; and discuss a housing development.

Due to Monday’s President’s Day holiday, the commission will meet at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Finney County Administrative Center, 311 N. Ninth St.