Carroll County Judge Ronda Griffin said Friday, Sept. 23, that she was still considering whether to move forward with the purchase of the former AP&L building on South Main Street in Berryville.
Griffin signed a non-binding letter of intent on the property on Sept. 9. She told the quorum court at its regular meeting on Sept. 19 that she was against purchasing the building but that she wanted to hear opinions from the justices of the peace.
“We still have a few more days for you guys to convince me that you want it, and I’m still open to suggestions,” Griffin said.
Four days later, Griffin said she was trying to hire an inspector to take a look at the building and indicated her position might have changed to some degree. She said at the quorum court meeting that she didn’t want to move any county offices there and she reiterated that on Sept. 23 but said the building could be a very good place to securely store election equipment and hold early voting, as well as providing space for the election commission to meet and to train election workers.
County Clerk Connie Doss initially contacted the building’s owner two years ago, she said. Doss said the building would provide ample space to securely store the election equipment and hold early voting, as well as possibly housing the clerk’s office or other county departments. The 5,832-square-foot building is located at 613 S. Main St. and sits on a 2.137-acre lot. The letter of intent lists a purchase price of $429,500.
JPs mostly expressed support for the idea, noting that the price of approximately $73 per square foot would be a bargain compared to the cost of new construction. The building would require some renovation, with a preliminary estimate of $130,000 for that work.
Doss said the county could indirectly use federal pandemic relief funds to pay for the building. That money would be used to reimburse the county for employee salaries, thus freeing up money in the county’s general fund to purchase the building. The county could also save the money it is currently spending to rent storage space for the election equipment.
The most vocal opposition to purchasing the building came from District 4 JP Duane Coatney, who said he had discussed the issue with constituents who believe the county should consider a new building.
“As far as need, yes, I’ll agree, we need the space,” Coatney said. “But I don’t think we need to jump right now and buy it. I think we should look — we’ve got property — look at building our own building. We need more space than what’s there, I think. That’s my feeling. And I haven’t talked to anybody in favor of buying. They think we should build our own, and build more space.”
Speaking at the quorum court meeting, Griffin outlined her position.
“I’m personally not for this,” she said. “I did sign the letter of intent to give you guys the 30 days to research it and come up with different ideas.”
Griffin said she didn’t like the idea of some county offices being moved to the old AP&L building because it could create an inconvenience for county residents who are used to being able to conduct business at one central location.
Griffin, who was appointed in January to finish Sam Barr’s term as county judge after Barr’s retirement, said she went on a recent walkthrough of the building “with an open mind” and acknowledged that buying the building could offer some benefits.
“I do see Connie’s vision that it would be a great asset for her voting equipment. I think that is a true issue that we have. But on the other hand, I feel like you guys appointed me to keep the boat steady until a new judge was elected. And I feel like a three-quarters-of-amillion- dollar investment, that I’m going to be handing off to a new judge, I’m not comfortable with that. My hope would be maybe that building would still be available when the person you guys elect to make these decisions for you would make those decisions. I feel like this is a huge investment that I will not see it through. I will admit it’s a good price.”
Griffin’s term will expire Dec. 31.
