VAN BUREN -- Carter County commissioners promised Monday to pause discussion of construction of a new courthouse while other options are considered for preservation of the historic stone structure that has served as the county seat for 82 years.
Another public meeting was set for Aug. 31 after residents told commissioners in an emotional and heated two-hour discussion the community could find a way to make repairs. They also questioned the candor of officials in reports on the status of flood recovery dollars and how that money will be spent.
After more than a year of publicly working toward repairs, the commissioners reported in meeting minutes released last week they would combine the courthouse with construction of a new jail and justice center.
"Nobody in this room knows what took place to get us here. That's why I'm here. I need to know what happened," said resident Renata Culpepper, later adding the community does not want to be angry, but feels no explanations are being offered. "Why not have a meeting with all of us involved in that, instead of a secret meeting and telling us now it's a done deal."
The meeting was not secret, said presiding commissioner Donald Black, of the July 31 commission meeting minutes, which were published Thursday in The Current Local. The commission meets every Monday, he said.
"It's plain and simple, we don't have the funds," Black said.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency was expected to pick up 75 percent of an at least $2.2 million project involving the courthouse, following information released by the commission in April.
Information from FEMA has changed over time, the commissioners said.
"We've been told (things) and then they backed up on us and it's happened. It's not all Don," said eastern district commissioner Andy Steiger.
FEMA will not fund repairs because the courthouse is more than 50 percent damaged (see sidebar) and would remain in the floodplain without new protection from future high water events, according to Black. Damage estimates from FEMA earlier in the spring were below 50 percent and allowed for repairs, he said.
FEMA has been in the process of putting figures together to combine all three projects, but nothing has been finalized, Black said. He promised a public meeting with proper notice would be held before anything further is done.
"This isn't us against you. We care about this county. We work hard for you guys," said Black, also telling the audience that while he's been portrayed as a liar in the community, his focus has always been what is best for the community.
The community could spend $750,000 on repairs today and be forced to do it again in the future, said Black, who has proposed seeking historical preservation grant money to make repairs and repurpose the building.
The county has provided FEMA with three possible sites for a new county facility and feasibility studies are underway, he said.
Black lost a primary election Aug. 7 and will be replaced as presiding commissioner in January. He said the newly elected commissioner is welcome to attend any meetings with FEMA and participate in conversations prior to January.
Resident Lisa Hart told commissioners her own home suffered major damage in the flood and has been repaired.
"I think the same thing could be done at that courthouse," she said.
The statement and other similar sentiments expressed by residents received applause from approximately the 60 people attending the meeting in the county's temporary courtroom.
"This whole thing is ridiculous. You should have been in that courthouse immediately," said Linda Terry, adding later if individuals can do it in private homes, then a group from the community can. "We're asking for the assistance to get it started."
It has to be funded somehow, said western district commissioner Lynn Murdick, who got in a brief argument with a woman in the audience after telling the woman to "shut up," so he could answer a question.
"The people of Carter County want the offices to stay in the courthouse," said Kennith Leach.
No donations have been made in the past year and a half to a courthouse project, said Steiger.
No one has asked for donations, responded resident Rick Drummond.
"It just seems like we've reached a point where it's FEMA or failure," said Andy Dazey. "It doesn't seem like there was a lot of energy expended outside of FEMA and SEMA (State Emergency Management Agency)."
The county could consider raising private money, or issue bonds, he said.
Black asked Dazey to be a member of a committee to look at the matter.
Audience members asked the commission about an eight-person committee that was proposed in June but never created. It was supposed to help with an appeal of FEMA's decision on replacement of the courthouse, according to the discussion.
The county would have to prove there was no other viable location for the courthouse, and would not be able to do that, commissioners said.
Black stressed no agreement has been signed with FEMA and no property has been purchased. Sites being considered include an area near the Dollar General store, which is not in the floodplain, and two areas which are in the floodplain and would require elevation. All locations are within Van Buren city limits, he said.
The jail and sheriff's department projects need to move forward, Black added. The county is incurring many costs related to the housing and transportation of prisoners to other counties, he said later.
Terry thanked the commissioners for listening to the public, adding, "Let's not fight about this. Let's agree and get the courthouse (back)."
Commissioners asked later in a meeting with members of the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a payment on the destroyed justice center to be suspended for one year. Attending the meeting were USDA-Rural Development state director Jeff Case and regional coordinator Nathan Chitwood.
There is support all the way up and down the agency to help the county, said Chitwood.
Black reiterated in conversations with USDA that he felt like a new location for the courthouse was right for the community, asking how the historic courthouse could be exempt from regulations that require property be elevated out of the floodplain.
"I don't want to leave this county bankrupt or in bad shape," Black said. "I feel like I'm in a bear trap and it doesn't matter which direction I move."
FEMA is in the process of re-writing packages for one combined facility, officials said.