The White County Building Committee met after months of no updates.
The board last met in August 2024, when an architect named Lacey Young presented them with different layout options for the space at the Carmi Times.
You can read that story at the link: https://www.wrul.com/local-news/courthouse-update-from-greater-wabash-and-architect
This time, Young was not there; it was a new group named Ameresco, which is based out of Evansville, Indiana. A representative was present to discuss their plans for the Carmi Times building and brought their layout ideas.
Ameresco Inc. is a leading energy solutions provider with a proven track record in helping customers reduce costs and upgrade infrastructure. They have extensive experience, particularly in K-12 school systems around Illinois and courthouse renovations in Montgomery and Marion Counties.
Robert Delaney, with Ameresco, discussed what would be included in the Carmi Times and some information about how the Carmi Times building and the surrounding building are not connected.
Chairwoman Cassie Pigg shared her financial concerns,
“Yeah, and I mean, because I think the first thing we have to figure out is how we’re going to pay for this. I mean, because at this point, I don’t even know that it’s feasible. We do have dollars, you know, from the grant that we got to use for the renovations, but as far as, you know, new construction, you know, our budget, funds. Like we don’t have what we had last time we had this conversation, sadly. So, you know, we have to think about that too.”
Ameresco explained that the project would cost 10-15 million dollars, with Judge T. Scott Webb baffled at the number,
Ameresco: “Something like this, which would probably range, and it’s hard to give you an accurate number right now because we haven’t really run anything yet. But given the size and square footage, the level of finish, the function that it’s intended for, this is anywhere from $10-$15 million situation.”
Webb: “I don’t get that because I don’t know if you are familiar with Franklin County at all. You know where Benton is, and you’ve seen the courthouse. You can’t miss their courthouse. $18 million, three stories, maybe four. It’s an immaculate building. So, have things just gone up? I mean, based on this figure, because we’re wanting a one-story building, and that’s it. And if you’re comparing apples to apples, that place would be $40 million.”
Unfortunately, inflation and recent tariffs have significantly affected the project’s cost. The cost of materials and labor has increased, leading to a higher overall estimate for the project.
Treasurer Mike Baxley was on hand to give some insight into how the board could gather the funds for the building, but it wouldn’t be easy on the residents of White County.
The building committee could get a federally backed loan for $11 million. The County could also leverage property taxes and/or sales taxes.
“If we leverage the property taxes, then we can extend it out for a term of about 20 years. If we do the sales tax, we can extend the term out to about 30 years or so. But with the sales tax, you have to, and I may be wrong on this, but I think you have to get a referendum for it to go on the ballot to increase the sales tax.”
A referendum on both the property and sales taxes would have to be placed on a ballot for White County residents to vote on. Pigg and the other members were adamant that it would not pass because White County’s taxes are already high.
There was some good news, though. The County has started collecting a $37,000 Cannabis tax, which will be added monthly.
In the end, the committee will again revisit the price difference between fixing the many problems with the existing courthouse and completing the Carmi Times building.
