CASSOPOLIS — Some are questioning whether Cass County’s county building is appropriate for people to be working in.

The question was brought up during the Cass County Board of Commissioners’ Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday morning. The board was discussing the payment of contractual cleaning for the county building, the law and courts building and department of corrections, when some commissioners and audience members questioned if cleaning would be enough to make the inside of building appealing and fit for people to work in.

“We need to make this place nice for the people who work here,” said Commissioner Skip Dyes. “It kind of bugs me when I come in here and see a paper sign on the bathroom saying men or women.”

One of the main complaints by commissioners was the appearance of the carpet in the county building, which has been in place since the 1970s. Despite regular cleanings, commissioners said the carpet looked dirty and stained.

“Maybe we should look into the cost of replacing the carpet versus cleaning it,” Commissioner Terry Ausra suggested.

Commissioner Robert Ziliak suggested the board look at the building more broadly and assign a maintenance team go through the building to identify what they would like to be changed or replaced if they were able.

“I have to agree with Commissioner Dyes. This building is not attractive,” Ziliak said.

However, not everyone at the meeting thought the idea to be practical.

“The cost [of having a maintenance team identify possible changes to the building] would be minimal,” said Maintenance Director Dave Dickey. “But then you would just get another shopping list, and who gets to prioritize what gets done? Is it the company that does the assessment? Or is it us, just deciding based on what looks best at the time and what is the cheapest to do? … But this is something to consider.”

Judge Susan Dobrich, who was in attendance at the meeting, said that the county building may not be worth repairing at all.

“At some point, you are going to have to look at the cost of this building … and decide whether pumping money in this portion is a good use of your time,” she said. “There will be a time when you will have to add up all the things you have to fix and do a cost benefit analysis. This sure is not an attractive building. It is not functional. It is not safe. You are putting all kinds of money in to put a band aid on it. … This is a tough building to work in.”

Though the discussion about the future of the county building was tabled Tuesday, the board will vote to approve the contracted cleaning at the board of commissioners’ meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Also Thursday:

• The board of commissioners will vote to approve a hot water boiler replacement at the jail. Additionally, the board will vote to approve a resolution for a temporary pay increase for the interim county treasurer.

• The board will vote to approve the following budget amendments: the non-drug forfeiture fund, the marine lake association patrol budget and the jail phones and commissary sales budget.