Franklin County Commissioners have given the go-ahead for the roof of the county jail to be replaced.

At their meeting Monday, commissioners voted to request bids for the replacement of the roof, which dates back to the jail’s construction in 1983.

The 33-year-old roof on the Franklin County Jail in Farmington will be replaced after county commissioners agreed this week to seek bids on the project. Staff file photo by David Leaming

The roof was patched 12 years ago, and county and jail officials have known since then the roof eventually would have to be replaced, according to County Clerk Julie Magoon.

The county received a cost estimate on replacement two or three years ago, which totaled $130,000 to $140,000. Magoon said an updated cost for replacement would be largely dependent on the price of asphalt, which is used to top the roof.

Since 2009, the county has been putting aside money in a reserve account for the project. There is more than $200,000 in the account, which Magoon said is “more than sufficient” funding to replace the roof.

The county will advertise the request for bids next week when specifications for the project are compiled. Bidders will be given three weeks to a month to do site inspections and put together a quote before the commissioners act on bids, most likely in early May, Magoon said.

The goal is to have the roof replaced before winter.