CLEVELAND, Tenn. — The Bradley County courthouse’s appearance is gradually changing as the budget allows, Mayor D. Gary Davis said last week.

Mr. Davis told county commissioners on the Buildings and Land Committee that the commission meeting room will be getting some work over the summer; posts on the Ocoee Street side of the building will be covered and the county will seek bids for a security gate to the basement parking lot.

Meanwhile, Misdemeanor Probation Director Rich Kienlen received permission from the county Finance Committee to spend $2,600 to sod the small lawn strips on the north and south sides of the courthouse.

“Now that we have the front and back looking good, the sides are awful,” Mr. Kienlen said.

He said his office could pay for the sod and the community service program could provide labor.

Mr. Davis said spending on the 46-year-old courthouse may provoke some criticism, but the work is needed.

“We have gradually done things inside but not for the whole building,” the mayor said, including the first replacement of the heating and air system since the building was completed.

Over several years ago, the county, city of Cleveland and MainStreet Cleveland have created a plaza at the front entrance and installed a larger entrance awning, wider sidewalks and landscaping on the back side on Broad Street.

Mr. Davis said the columns will cost about $60,000 and will use money from the current budget and the 2009 budget that begins July 1.

Inside, the dais in the commission room is scheduled to get an oak veneer for $4,900. If next year’s budget allows, the room needs an updated sound system, Mr. Davis said.

He said state Rep. Eric Watson, R-Cleveland, secured a $10,00 grant to reimburse the county for the security gate.

But there are issues to be resolved, committee members said.

The county archives in the basement must remain open to the public and handicapped access provided. And the gate cannot block fire safety exits, Mr. Davis said.

“If they want to, they can blow up the courthouse without going into the basement,” Mr. Davis observed.

He said the gate, paid for locally or by the state, is still an unnecessary use of taxpayers’ money.

“The thing about grants is if we don’t get it, somebody else will,” Commissioner Howard Thompson said.