An environmental consultant will present findings Thursday of an extensive assessment of the Colbert County Office Complex that revealed the presence of mold in some offices and in ceiling areas of parts of the building.

County Commission Chairman Troy Woodis said Terry Painter of Energy and Environmental Consulting Group of Decatur will explain the situation to commissioners during a special meeting Thursday. The meeting is 5 p.m. at the office complex on U.S. 72 in Tuscumbia.

At present, it's unknown if the mold is causing a health threat.

Commissioner Rex Burleson has started searching for office space for the Colbert County Board of Education and several other operations based in the complex in case they need to be moved. Other agencies with offices in the complex include the Resource Conservation and Development Council, Alabama Forestry Commission, Retired Senior Volunteer Program and North Alabama Highway Safety Office.

Burleson said he contacted the Tennessee Valley Authority about leasing space in one of its empty buildings at the TVA Reservation.

Woodis said some employees of the Colbert County Board of Education moved to another site last summer after the problem was reported, but other organizations remain in their offices.

The commission replaced the heating and air conditioning units and some duct work in the building, but the problem persisted.

Woodis said complaints of foul odors came primarily from the part of the building that houses the school board offices. Occupants with offices in the back part of the building have not expressed concern, commissioners said.

Angela Malone, office manager for the Resource Conservation & Development Council said, nobody has suggested they vacate their office.

The RC&D office is in the rear of the building. Malone said she has not smelled anything out of the ordinary in her office.

Burleson said the commission will decide what action to take on the issue after getting Thursday's report.

"The building has mold in it, and we're more than likely going to move everyone from over there," Burleson said.

He said Painter will explain the extent of the mold infestation and provide recommendations for remediation.

"At this point, until we get our presentation, we don't know to what extent we have to go," Burleson said. "Once we hear that, we'll fix the problem. We'll find out what we've got."

Burleson anticipates the county's insurance will cover some of the remediation costs.

He said the county is responsible for housing the schools superintendent and an assistant. The county also provides office space for RSVP, which is funded through a federal grant. The other organizations lease office space from the county.

The Colbert County coroner also has an office in the complex.

"We would like to accommodate all of them, and we hope we can," Burleson said.

Woodis said Painter asked him to come to the office complex Thursday as he was completing his assessment. He showed Woodis mold behind wallpaper in one office and above the ceiling tiles in another area.

Woodis said leaks developed the winter before last while a contractor was replacing the roof and a snowstorm interrupted the job.