The Van Buren County Commission has given the go-ahead for additional improvements at the Van Buren County Health Department.
Van Buren County Health Department Director Summer Mathews said the health department has an estimated $146,000 left over from a construction grant. That money used to upgrade the plumbing and electrical systems. Matthews said the health department wants to make interior and exterior improvements.
“We would like to replace the flooring upstairs and downstairs, paint upstairs and downstairs, put flooring on the stairs going downstairs, and then add gutters and downspouts,” Matthews said.
Matthews said a quoted price for the improvements was an estimated $133,800, which includes removing the old material. Commissioner Terry Hodges said the health department building could use the improvements.
“You know, that plasterboard I think has to be replaced, because we were up there last year, it’s all rotted out and no downspouts, and the basement is in bad shape,” Hodges said.
Matthews said the health department will now have to work on getting an amended contract through the state so the grant funds could be used for the improvements. Matthews said the grant expires on August 31, so the department will have to be quick to get the work done.
