County Commission Finance Chairman Curtis Adams said immediate action is needed on a mold and fungus problem at the County Courthouse.

He also said he is dismayed that the County Commission was not told about the issue in which Clerk and Master Lee Akers brought in an outside firm to test for mold in his office and the chancery judges later put down an order withholding over half a million dollars of office excess fees to cover possible moving costs.

Commissioner Adams said, "I'm surprised the health department has not stepped in and condemned the building."

He said Mr. Akers was sending commission members a 37-page report from a firm hired by Mr. Akers - outlining numerous possible health hazards at the old courthouse.

Commissioner Adams said when the commission convenes on Wednesday he will ask that the commission take action to insure the health of employees.

He said, "These employees whose health is endangered should be moved out immediately and the problems fixed."

Mr. Akers said he was told by county staff that work remodeling his area would start next spring.

Commissioner Adams said, "I still have not heard one word from the executive department about a problem that is big enough that the chancery judges (Howell Peoples and Frank Brown) would put down this order. In all my years of county government, I have not heard of such an order.

"This problem should be resolved without the judges having to take that drastic action. That's not the way a good government works."

He also said, "Since this is pertaining to money, Commission Chairman Larry Henry requested I check this out for our commission so we may be informed and have complete knowledge of why the Chancery Court judges felt compelled to sign an order to withhold funds, over $500,000, to use as expenditures for something the Commission should be involved with. Withholding money is probably making history. I have no knowledge of this happening before."

He told other commissioners in a memo, "I do plan to keep you informed. Also, let me remind you, as a legislative branch of government we are responsible for the money and buildings in county government."

Mr. Akers said, "The chancellors and I have been very concerned about the health of our staffs as may be affected by unhealthy environmental conditions in our workplace and what appears to us to be a piecemeal approach to the problem.

"We are also concerned about additional disruptions we will face in future moves necessitated by incomplete courtroom enhancements, the necessary and proper protocol for remediation of fungal contamination, window replacement, and long-overdue HVAC improvements including the chillers and ductwork replacement."

The chancellors earlier moved to the MLK Building while renovation work went on in their courtrooms. Chancellor Peoples said they have been advised they will need to move back out for further work.

The private study was carried out by EHS Services on April 27.

It was noted that half a dozen employees in the clerk and master's office have come down with pneumonia, and Mr. Akers and his chief deputy, Judy Hillyer, have both been diagnosed with allergy induced asthma.

The report found fungal growth on the heating and air system, lead paint chips that collect on top of suspended ceilings, and concentrations of penicillium and other bacteria.