Sheriff’s office packs for new office move

Voters may have rejected plans for a new county jail and sheriff’s headquarters in Forsyth County, but Sheriff Ted Paxton and many of his employees have still gotten the go-ahead to start packing.

On Tuesday, the Forsyth County Commission committed to move much of the sheriff’s office out of several aging buildings that have been plagued with problems from rodents and mold to poor ventilation and regular sewage backups.

They voted to lease parts of three floors in an office building on Tribble Gap Road for the sheriff’s administration and criminal investigation units and to investigate buying or leasing a modular building for the crime lab.

The move follows an investigation into complaints from employees about potential health hazards in some of the buildings. In January, four employees of the crime lab were taken to a hospital with complaints of headaches and nausea. The crime lab building, which was built in 1953, has since been vacated.

Bill Thomas, the county’s chief financial officer, said the county still needs to build the jail and sheriff’s headquarters that voters refused to support in a referendum last November.

“But this would provide some relief,” Thomas said.

For an initial investment of about $200,000, “we clean this all up,” he said.

Paxton said Wednesday he hopes the move can be accomplished by early May.

“Obviously, that time line may change dependant upon how soon the modifications can be done and how soon the necessary IT work can be done,” he said.

The sheriff said: “Given our present circumstances, I feel the plan is a good one. It will give us the ability to have our employees working in a more productive environment. In addition, it will relieve the croweded conditions they are now working in, not to mention all the environmental issues we have experienced and continue to experience with the existing facilities.”

Here’s a look at the buildings that are at issue:

• The Criminal Investigations Division’s Headquarters on Old Buford Highway. It was built in 1960 and is still being used. An evaluation found questionable water quality, regular sewage backups, no handicap access to restrooms, entrances and hallways, and an inadequate electrical system.

• The CID Annex at 201 East Maple Street. It was built in 1953, was formerly the county health department and is now vacated. An evaluation showed the building has inadequate electrical systems, water problems in the restroom and interview rooms and continued mold problems.

• The Crime Lab on Old Buford Highway. It was build in 1953, was formerly a community center and has been vacated. An evaluation showed improper ventilation, rodent infestation, no restrooms and an inadequate electrical system.

• The Sheriff’s Administrative Building at 101 East Main Street. It is leased for the sheriff’s administration and support services and is currently in use. An evaluation shows it lacks handicap accessibility and limited space.