WALLACE — Security upgrades at the Shoshone County Courthouse may not be as costly as previously anticipated, thanks to unspent funds from earlier projects. 

During a recent meeting, Commissioner Dave Dose said the county has $136,000 in unused Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Funds (LATCF) from previously approved and completed projects that can be applied toward the cost of the upgrades. 

Shoshone County formed a security committee following last year’s shooting at the nearby Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office. After several meetings, the committee recommended multiple improvements to courthouse security, including window tinting, upgraded employee badging and replacing the current keyed entry system with an electronic fob system. 

Before any upgrades are approved, the commissioners must ensure the changes receive approval from the Historic Wallace Preservation Society. The entire city of Wallace is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, requiring review of exterior modifications. 

The cost of window tinting is estimated at approximately $10,000. While the proposed electronic lock system would require a higher upfront investment, commissioners said it could save the county money over time. 

“That brings some extra cost up front to get going, but appears to be cheaper to maintain once you have it up and running,” Dose said. “Because, in the current system, if somebody loses or their key is stolen, technically, you have to go replace all the locks. Under this one, if their fob is stolen, you would turn their fob off in the computer and give them a new fob.” 

According to Dose, installing the fob entry system — which would cover the front and side entrances, the door to the prosecutor’s office and both judges’ offices — is estimated to cost just under $34,000. The system could be expanded later if the county decides to add additional doors. 

The electronic system would also allow the county to track which staff members enter the building and when. 

“That’s a huge chunk of change,” Dose said. “But it would give us a fresh start under the new key policy so that we would know exactly who’s been issued.” 

LATCF dollars are federal funds created to offset impacts from declining offshore energy revenues. Distributed to counties and tribal governments, the money can be used for infrastructure, public safety, and other governmental services, helping communities maintain operations without raising taxes or cutting essential programs locally.

Because of the projected costs, the county is required to seek bids for both the window tinting and electronic access projects. Once bids are received, the commissioners can formally move forward with the security improvements.