The Butler County commissioners may hire an engineering firm next week to design plans to repair the government center and courthouse.

The county received two proposals from two companies to do the work, which covers the replacement of rusting exterior panels on the government center and correcting water problems in the courthouse.

According to a study conducted by Thomas & Williamson of Pittsburgh, the estimated range for replacing all the beige aggregate panels surrounding the government center on West Diamond Street was between $2.9 million and $4.5 million, or roughly an average of $3.5 million.

Another $500,000 was projected to fix water damage to the basement floor of the courthouse and some walls as well as reroute rainwater from entering the building. An air conditioning system also would be installed.

County Commissioner Leslie Osche said Wednesday the costs may be lower.

“We’re looking at various alternatives,” Osche said. “What do we need to contract and what can we do internally.”

John Campbell, director of county facilities and operations, said in an interview one option for the government center is a different type of exterior that does not use caulking.

“We are looking at a dry system with interlocking panels,” Campbell said.

Weber Murphy Fox of Erie and Gray Consulting of Butler submitted proposals, which were not released by the county.

County officials are meeting representatives from both firms today.