Whitman County Commissioners agreed to buy a new public health office as the current one is non-compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. While making the current public health office ADA-compliant would cost about $1 million, the cost to build a new office estimates $700,000.

The funding for the new building will come from the county’s economic development fund which consists of money from sales tax.

Chris Skidmore, Whitman County Health director, identified spaces in the building that did not meet ADA regulations.

“A lot of the hallways and entrances were all very very narrow and I think all of our bathrooms were much too small to accommodate handicapped folks,” Skidmore said. “The elevator in that building was also not ADA-compliant and I think that was one of the big ticket items that could cost a considerable amount of money to make an ADA complaint.”

The current office is located at 1205 SE Professional Mall Blvd #203 in the Pro Mall business center.

The new office will be a combination of two business suites. It will be located in the same business park as the current one. The new office will be around 3,200 square feet, while the current office is around 1,200 square feet.

Skidmore said the building they are moving into was built later with ADA compliance in mind and is all on one floor so it removes the element of issues with an elevator.

The funding for the new building will come from the county’s economic development fund which consists of money from sales tax.

The old office will be sold as it will not serve a purpose for Whitman County Public Health and the new office is expected to be moved in during the springtime.

Skidmore said during the move they do not anticipate the service shut down during the move at the Pullman office but if issues do arise the Colfax location at 310 N Main St #108 will be open.