Mold forces closure of Monroe County Justice Center offices

Written from press release:

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — August 20, 2025

Mold remediation work forced the closure of key Monroe County offices Tuesday, including the prosecutor’s office and courtrooms inside the Charlotte Zietlow Justice Center.

County officials said mold was discovered in recent days on the second and third floors of the building, with some staff reporting mild symptoms. Maintenance crews began remediation Monday, but by Tuesday afternoon, the work had become too disruptive for employees to continue operations.

Because many county services depend on the courts, additional Monroe County offices across several buildings were also closed. The building’s jail facilities, which use a separate air-handling system, are not affected, officials said.

The mold is believed to have resulted from water issues tied to inefficient HVAC design, aging infrastructure or improperly wrapped ductwork. Prolonged high humidity and summer heat created conditions for the mold to grow, according to county officials.

The cleanup is expected to last through Wednesday, with normal operations resuming Thursday. VET Environmental will conduct comprehensive testing of the affected floors once remediation is complete. Staff who are immunocompromised are being advised to make alternative work arrangements during the process.

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners previously approved the purchase of commercial-grade dehumidifiers to prevent future mold problems.

“While it’s never ideal to close essential offices, this is a temporary measure to ensure the safety of our dedicated county staff and minimize disruption to their work,” said Board of Commissioners President Julie Thomas. “Ultimately, these mold issues underscore the need for a new, modern facility to serve the residents and employees of Monroe County as soon as possible.”

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