The McLeod County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a contract with MEI Total Elevator Solutions, Mankato, not to exceed $105,135.71 to repair the elevator serving the McLeod County Jail.

County Administrator Sheila read the revised motion for the board: approve the MEI proposal to repair the jail elevator at a cost not to exceed $105,135.71, with the specific fund balance to be determined by the budget committee and the county administrator appointed as an alternative authorized representative. Commissioner Krueger moved the motion and Commissioner Nagel seconded it; the board approved the motion by voice vote.

The board heard from jail and courthouse staff that the elevator is the only secure route for moving inmates between the jail and courtrooms and that the elevator has been tagged out of service. Sheriff Langenfeld warned of operational impacts if the elevator remains out of service, including having to move inmates through public spaces and possible jury-seating complications. "It is our elevator in the sheriff's office, the only secure route for inmates to go from the jail into the courtrooms," the sheriff said, adding that alternative routing could slow proceedings and raise security concerns.

Building maintenance staff and contractors told the board the likely repair will require replacing the elevator jack (cylinder). Contractors estimated a 10-week lead time to obtain the jack; a full elevator replacement would take an estimated 16 to 20 weeks and would cost substantially more. Staff said the work will likely require after-hours labor to avoid disrupting courthouse operations, and additional unforeseen work could raise costs above the approved not-to-exceed amount. County staff committed to returning to the board if costs materially exceed the approved cap.

The board placed conditions on the approval to manage risk: county staff will verify the specific scope as work begins, consult with the budget committee on the funding source, and, if repair costs escalate beyond the approved limit, seek board approval (or call a special meeting) before proceeding. Commissioner Krueger said the not-to-exceed figure was intended to allow staff to confirm whether the jack replacement is the correct solution without creating an open-ended expense.

The county administrator and building maintenance staff said they will keep the board updated on progress and any need for additional funding. Clarifying details provided to the board during discussion included a contractor estimate that the jack portion of the job could be approximately $60,000 of the total figure, the elevator had many components replaced in prior renovations, and that removing the jack could reveal additional work (such as soil/ground remediation) that would add costs and time.

Ending: The repair contract carries an immediate operational purpose: restoring a secure inmate route between the jail and courtrooms. County staff will proceed with the repair under the dollar cap and report back to the board and budget committee on funding and any material scope changes.