HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission again discussed a secure entrance to the courthouse with County Administrator Gary Meagher giving them information on a proposal for using the main entrance to the courthouse, which would be much less costly than the proposal for building a new entrance.
The proposal would include an ADA accessible ramp that would have to be constructed at the front of the building. Meagher then explained to the commission how they would use the inside of the main entrance to allow residents and other visitors to go through the secure screening.
That includes getting rid of the first floor bathroom and a storage room, then having them go through that area to the lobby where they would go through the metal detectors before they are allowed to continue to wherever they need to go within the courthouse or law enforcement center.
Meagher gave very preliminary numbers, saying it could be as low as $150,000
The commission seems to now be leaning toward using the main entrance of the courthouse and the secure entrance, but commissioner Brad Dillon noted that he wants input and thoughts from Sheriff Randy Henderson, who was not present Tuesday, and also someone from the Hutchinson Fire Department before any final decisions are made.
The commission has about three weeks left before the current bids are considered outdated, so they want to make a decision soon. We’ll of course continue to follow this story and bring you the latest as we learn what they decide to do.