TUSCUMBIA — Colbert County commissioners Tuesday denied a request from the superintendent of education to provide financial assistance for repairs to the roof of the board's new office building.

Last summer the commission agreed to purchase the building on U.S. 72 for $400,000 and provide an additional $200,000 to help renovate the building for the board's use.

The decision came after then-superintendent Billy Hudson raised concern about the presence of mold in some offices at the board's old headquarters at the Colbert County Office Complex.

Superintendent of Education Anthony Olivis explained an inspection of the new building's roof indicated the roof system is in good condition, but there was rust to some roof fasteners at several locations.

There also was some minor deterioration and weathering of sealants around flashing and the interface with roof panels.

The inspection by Stephen Ward & Associates, a Madison roof consulting business, indicated the roof system should perform for another 3-5 years, but it also offered remedial measures ranging in cost from $10,000 to $160,000.

Olivis asked commissioners if they could assist in covering the $65,000 cost of a coating that could protect the building and contents for up to 20 years. He said the building is not leaking, but he is concerned about the possibility of leaks and a repeat of the issue the board dealt with in the old building

"That's one area I don't want to get back into," Olivis said.

Commissioner Rex Burleson reminded Olivis and Assistant Superintendent Jeff Cornelius of an agreement between the commission and education board that stated the board would take care of all maintenance related to the building.

According to Tuesday's discussions, the building was not inspected before it was purchased.

Cornelius said he doubted Hudson would have made that agreement had the building been inspected.

"That is still the agreement we had with the board of education," Burleson said.

Olivis ultimately withdrew his request.

Later in the meeting, the commission voted to forward the additional $200,000 to the board of education and deed the building to the board.

In other business, the commission:

• approved a $6,125 annual telephone system contract with Certified Alarm Co.;

• approved a $1,694.10 payment to the probate judge's office for certifying the voters' list;

• approved buying a new a new jail dispatch system at a cost of $38,524;

• approved the final plat for the Riverpointe II subdivision;

• approved renewing a fuel contract with Tatum Oil Co.;

• approved a request from the Emergency Management Agency to solicit bids for 12 severe weather warning sirens;

• agreed to allow the EMA to renew its mutual assistance agreement with similar agencies in the Shoals;

• approved a retail beer license for Shan's Convenience Store No. 3;

• approved a retail liquor license for the Point of View restaurant;

• agreed to apply for grant money to purchase fire hydrants for County Line Road, most likely in the area between Jarmon Lane and Second Street.

Russ Corey can be reached at 256-740-5738 or russ.corey@TimesDaily.com.