Commissioners approve budget amendments

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved budget amendments Tuesday to pay for enhanced courthouse security and other improvements.
About two-thirds of the $300,000 in amendments will cover expenses related to heightened security through the end of the year. County finance director Joni Smith said the $204,000 cost reflects five-twelfths of the annual cost to implement a variety of security measures commissioners approved last month.
Meanwhile, more than $100,000 was amended in the county’s maintenance fund, as $86,000 will be used for new carpet in the historic courthouse and $15,000 for parking lot improvements at the newly opened Covered Bridge Healthcare site.
Commissioners Tuesday also approved a $14,000 budget amendment to address an overheating issue with the animal control building’s air-conditioning unit. Quotes were received from Fawn River Mechanical and MDM Electric Inc.