The courthouse’s lone elevator stopped working July 31 when a circuit board for an electric motor that provides dynamic braking failed.
Steve Higinbotham, the county administrator, said during the Wayne County commissioners’ Aug. 5 meeting that necessary parts were available within three weeks, although he’d requested a quicker time frame. Commissioners are working with the courts to find temporary workarounds.
The county planned to install a second elevator; however, no contractors bid on the project last year, causing a delay.
Other actions
- Commissioners unanimously approved an amended interlocal agreement with Union County that eliminates a maximum amount Union County will pay Wayne County for emergency communications services. Wayne County has taken over full-time 911 services while exploring a requested consolidation.
- Commissioners approved a $73,000 economic development income tax grant for J.M. Hutton from the county’s consolidated EDIT fund. Valerie Shaffer, president of the Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County, said Hutton will invest $6 million and create 37 new jobs.
- Commissioners appointed Krystal Neal to the Wayne County Advisory Plan Commission and decided to ask the county’s 4-H board to appoint Justin Curley, Purdue Extension’s regional operations leader, to the APC.
- Commissioners recommended to Richmond Mayor Ron Oler that he appoint Rob Clark to the Richmond Advisory Plan Commission, representing the 2-mile fringe.
- Commissioners approved a contract with Smarrelli General Contractor of Richmond to create a circle driveway and fence the opening near the building’s chiller where inmates enter the courthouse. The cost is $230,098.
A version of this article appeared in the August 12 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
