Shoshone, Idaho (KMVT-TV) The Lincoln County Courthouse in Shoshone was built in 1904. That was a long time before anybody thought about making it easy to get around here. But the Lincoln County Commissioners have already looked into improving conditions.

Marsha Hiatt, Chair of the Lincoln County Commissioners, says, "We had a study done in the '90s to find out what it would cost to put in an elevator. And at that time it was over half a million dollars, which is nearly a quarter of our budget. So we just don't have the funding to do it."

Shirley Fuller lives in West Magic, and she shared her concerns about the Lincoln County Courthouse's lack of accessibility for people with disabilities.

Fuller says, "I had to climb the stairs, I have a disability with my spine. And I was appalled that I had to come back down to get out once I did get there. I'm very concerned about the people that don't get there."

Fuller says she was very impressed with the county commissioners' willingness to find a solution.

Hiatt says right now they make accomodations, like moving Magistrate Court down to the first floor, or take it to another building that is handicap accessible. She says the county clerk, treasurer, and the assessor are willing to do paperwork outside the building, or take it directly to peoples' houses.

Hiatt says, "We're right now looking into some kind of chair that would go up the stairs. If there's a grant out there available, we'll jump on it."

Fuller says she'll check back with the commissioners in January to see what kind of plan they've come up with, and then go from there.

July 12, 2012.