Sunday's Internet Edition, September 07, 2008.

The two-story building has a tile roof except for a center section covered by metal. That section has allowed water to leak into second floor rooms that have been used for storage by courthouse offices.

Roane County Commissioners David Boothe, Rodney Cox and John Greathouse discussed the problem during a 35-minute meeting Tuesday at the courthouse.

Workers for Amnat International of Kenna, who submitted a bid of $22,500 for replacing the center section, inspected the roof last week. An additional $1,400 bid would replace the existing gutters and downspouts on the building.

“That building’s been let go for so long, it’s time to pay the piper,” Cox said.

The building is likely to require other work that is not associated with the roof. A report from a structural engineer revealed several problems, including the need to rewire the entire building.

Commissioners had also considered using the basement as storage space. That could require work such as painting, the replacement of locks and hinges and shutting off water service.

Administrative assistant Sue Hamric will ask the roofing company for more information including whether the substructure was inspected, specifications on the gutters and downspouts and whether the metal can match the color of the roof tile.

The amount of the bid was just under the $25,000 limit that requires a competitive bidding process.

Also Tuesday, commissioners voted to expand membership on the Local Emergency Planning Committee. Kenneth L. Harris and Perry Mills were each given terms that end Dec. 31, 2010.

The new positions were created at the request of the committee, which now has 17 members. Harris is director of emergency communications for Wood County and Mills is chief financial officer for Family Health Care.

Before adjourning until their next regular meeting on Tuesday, April 8 at 6 p.m., commissioners also:

• Approved a resolution supporting an application for a state grant that would be used to supply water to the Amma Industrial Park. They approved a second resolution required to receive a state grant for improvements at Heritage Park directed by Hill and Hollow Garden Club.

• Approved a list of Democrat and Republican poll workers for the May 13 primary election.

• Formally approved the 2009 fiscal year budget.