Iowa County rushes to fix elevator

MARENGO — When the Iowa County Courthouse elevator stopped working, the County Board of Supervisors rushed to have it fixed to stay compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“[It] has to be done sooner than later,” said Supervisor Chairman Kevin Heitshusen.

Dylan Healey, building maintenance director for Iowa County, agreed. “Cause we have no elevator right now,” he said. “They’re talking about moving court now.”

Iowa County’s courtroom is on the second floor of the courthouse. Supervisor Abby Maas wondered if the state could move court proceedings to The East Annex across the street from the courthouse, but Healey wasn’t sure that would work. The District Court is operated by the state and has its own infrastructure, he said.

District Court offices also have their own computer network, said Heitshusen.

Healey told supervisors that the check valve on the elevator stopped working. The county has a contract with TK elevator, but it’s just for service work, he said.

TK said it could replace the power unit for $28,880, said Healey, but TK estimated that the job would take three days to two weeks.

“I think we need to tell them this is a major issue to us,” said Supervisor Chris Montross.

Healey said he explained that this is the only elevator Iowa County has in the courthouse.

Supervisors approved the bid pending county attorney approval.