Van Buren County Commissioners voted Tuesday night to solicit bids to repair the county jail’s skylights.
Commissioner Tabitha Denney said the bids are needed so the county can provide accurate numbers to attorneys for an upcoming lawsuit against the building contractor. The lawsuit comes after the jail has experienced several leaking issues with the skylights. According to the county, the skylights were needed to withstand 120mph winds but instead, the contractor put in lights that would only withstand 50mph winds.
In July, Commissioner Cale Crain said he reached out to the insurance company to see if they would file a suit against the contractor but the insurance company declined.
In other business, Commissioners approved the formation of an Industrial Board and a Grant Review Committee. The commission approved giving a sum of $4,900 to the Van Buren Prevention Coalition for drug prevention efforts.
The commission approved issuing trial-based fuel cards for the Piney Fire Department. Denney said the cards can only be used outside Van Buren County, when the department assists with mutual aid to other counties or organizations.
Commissioners will now be taking applications for a part-time position at the Piney Convenience Center.