County makes partial payment to Stoddard
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

While the amount was more than County Judge John Murrile was planning to recommend, Wharton County Commissioners approved making a partial payment on the final bill owed to Stoddard Construction for the Wharton County Courthouse renovation project.

While the judge recommended a $100,000 payment and retaining $59,000, commissioners approved withholding 10 percent of the remaining money and retaining $15,900. Precinct 2 Commissioner Chris King made the motion saying he did not want to see the county involved in any possible litigation over the issue, adding he didn't think the company would abandon the county without correcting the remaining outstanding work on the final punchlist or under warranty.

Maintenance Director Paul Shannon said since the county had been initially withholding payment, the company had been more responsive to the county's requests. He said two doors into the district courtroom had been removed for repair and Stoddard was waiting on a part from the manufacturer to repair the building's heating system.

While authorizing the payment to Stoddard, commissioners voted to retain the remaining $13,000 to $14,000 owed to Ray Bailey Architects. It was pointed out some of the problems being cited as incomplete were not the responsibility of Stoddard but due to the selections made by the architect. It was also pointed out cracks have developed in walls that trace back to the structural engineering done by Bailey representatives in recommending stabilizing the structure.

In another item involving the courthouse, commissioners approved allowing the interior to be used to take a wedding portrait. Cynthia Ivy said her daughter was being married in April and is looking for a unique location for her bridal portrait, and wanted the courthouse with the stairwell as a backdrop.

The commissioners recommended she try to schedule the portrait during normal operating hours. If that cannot be arranged, they said she could coordinate with the judge to have the building opened up on the weekend provided the family was willing to compensate the employee opening up the courthouse at the overtime rate.