NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners unanimously approved a low bid to remodel the human services lobby Tuesday.

Brown County Human Services Director Anne Broskoff said South Country Health Alliance (SCHA) permitted member counties to request grant funds for eligible projects.

She said Brown County was awarded a $191,000 SCHA grant in January for various projects including remodeling the human services lobby in the Brown County Community Services Building, 1117 Center St., to ensure it is accessible and secure to all visitors plus add soundproofing.

Broskoff said the SCHA grant and a $5,000 Optimist Club grant were used for camps for individuals with special needs this year and next year.

She said the human services front desk is above the level of an individual in a wheelchair.

“A security camera with audio was requested by staff and documented in a safety walk-through,” said Broskoff. “I ran the issue having a camera with audio through the county attorney’s office. They said we can proceed because it is a public place.”

Commissioner Dave Borchert voiced concerns about the audio component of the project.

“Can we wait to talk with Brown County Attorney Hanson about it?” asked Borchert.

Broskoff suggested approving the project minus the audio part of it for now.

“I don’t want to delay this project longer. It has already been delayed,” said Brown County Facilities Manager Jesse Kral who worked with local vendors to on the project bids.

Commissioner Tony Berg made a motion to approve the remodeling low bid excluding the audio part of it for now.

Kral said the project will likely begin within a month.

During the project, human services traffic may be redirected through the public health department a floor below human services.

The $29,353.21 low bid includes $5,875 in electrical work by Full Service Electric, a $5,530 security camera from UHL Company, $5,774.25 in carpentry work from Esser Brothers Construction, $2,650.96 for Puhlmann Lumber & Design walls and countertops, $8,963 for Nosbush Glass reception glass and pass-throughs, $500 for paint and flooring and a $60 building permit.

A $29,457.24 bid is the same except for $5,960 in carpentry work by Bergy’s Construction and $2,569.24 for Design Home Center walls and countertops.

Commissioner Dave Borchert said he had concerns about the security camera with audio capabilities.

Project approval came on a motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Jeff Veerkamp.