County gets one bid for restrooms project

Whitman County commissioners Monday opened the single bid which was submitted for remodeling courthouse restrooms.

The bid was submitted from James W. Elmer Construction Company of Spokane for $350,749.

The county is planning to make Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades to the restrooms in the courthouse, according to Bob Reynolds, county maintenance and operations manager.

The bathrooms on the first and second floors of the courthouse will be remodeled to comply with ADA specifications. The project was part of the maintenance and operations budget for this year.

If the bid meets all requirements, it will officially be awarded July 7.

In other business, Treasurer Bob Lothspeich told commissioners Monday morning that the software which tracks investments is no longer working. The software is not compatible with the current accounting system and would be a stand-alone product. Cost estimates run close to $8,000.

Lothspeich said when the main frame died in January, the portfolio and statements for investments disappeared. He said there are 129 investments the treasurer’s department must track.

When a taxing district has extra money, districts generally ask the treasurer’s office to invest the money for the district. The cost of the software was not budgeted and now must be approved as a budget amendment later this year. The commissioners took no action on the request.

During a workshop before the regular meeting, commissioners also discussed a resolution that would allow the commissioners to display the term “In God We Trust” in the board’s chambers.

Largent said he is concerned about the organization proposing the resolution and Kinzer said it is the county’s First Amendment right to display the logo.

“What are we accomplishing here?” Largent asked.

After a brief discussion primarily between commissioners Kinzer and Largent, the board decided to pull the item off the agenda.

Commissioners also opened a bid for an Emergency Communications Trailer. Farber Specialty Vehicles of Ohio, submitted a bid of $96,138.

Emergency Management Director Bill Tensfeld is researching the bid, and the bid may be officially awarded it next week.