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AM, <br />0 Loo` 13 569 <br />that he is not addressing a new courtroom construction at this <br />time. <br />Commissioner Matthews asked County Manager Cowan for the <br />original figure published in the newspaper. County Manager Cowan <br />stated that the amount was $1.140 million. Commissioner Matthews <br />stated that she agrees with Chairman Stafford's recommendation; <br />however, she does not know what can be done for $317,000.00. <br />She stated that having a plan that would allow the architect to <br />arrive at some figures would be agreeable to her. <br />Commissioner Reives stated that the architect needs to go <br />beyond the $317,000.00 limit, because of the effect the project will <br />have on the existing money. He stated that no matter how much is <br />spent on the present courthouse, if there is no additional space <br />created, what good has the County done for the citizens of Lee <br />County and the people that work at the courthouse. Commissioner <br />Reives stated that the Commissioners may not make the most popular <br />decisions, but the Commissioners are charged with making the wisest <br />decisions. Commissioner Reives stated that while the architect is <br />drafting this project, there are a list of questions he wishes to <br />have answered. Chairman Stafford stated that the list will be <br />forwarded to the architect and added to his recommendation that <br />these questions be addressed by the architect. <br />Commissioner Hall stated that the courthouse has 19,000 square <br />feet that will not have to be built elsewhere. Commissioner Hall <br />stated that the cost figures submitted were based on figures derived <br />at renovating another courthouse in another county. Figures should <br />be submitted on renovating the building first class, as well as a <br />breakdown on spending the $317,000.00 on the courthouse. Chairman <br />Stafford asked that the Board first see what the architect can <br />accomplish working with the Probation Office, the Register of Deeds, <br />and the Board of Elections. Commissioner Reives stated that if the <br />first floor cannot be renovated for $317,000.00, then the architect <br />will have to begin again. Chairman Stafford stated that the <br />architect should be directed to submit the cost of renovating the <br />first floor as he previously recommended, leaving the second floor <br />as it currently exists. <br />Commissioner Cox stated that the Board should consider the best <br />stewardship of the County's money. The renovations are to <br />facilitate the services of the departments, not just to cater to the <br />employees of the departments involved--all aspects have to be <br />considered. <br />Commissioner Paschal stated that the architect should consider <br />the entire project, including the new facility, when submitting <br />these figures to expedite the project. Chairman Stafford stated <br />that the architect has already compiled some of this data and is <br />working through a preliminary and sequence plan. <br />Commissioner Matthews stated that when voting, the citizens <br />knew the project would be costly; however, their wish was to <br />renovate and use the courthouse for the same purpose. The <br />10 <br />