Leaders in Big Horn County closed their courthouse in Basin on Thursday afternoon, citing unspecified “concerns” that were found during a remodeling project.

“... Some concerns were identified that may or may not present an issue for the courthouse,” Big Horn County leaders posted on the county’s website. “As a precaution, the decision was made to close the courthouse until proper inspections take place.”

Essential services are open in other locations — for instance, the Big Horn County Attorney’s Office is operating in Lovell — but other offices based in the courthouse are shut down for the time being.

“We apologize for the inconvenience due to this circumstance beyond our control,” said the county’s posting, adding that, “Our first and foremost responsibility is for the safety of our citizens and employees.”

Big Horn County residents who need to renew their license plates can do so in Park County; several Big Horn County residents stopped by the Park County Courthouse in Cody on Friday to renew their registration, said Treasurer Barb Poley.

Poley said officials in Big Horn County wouldn’t tell her what specific issues led to the closure of the courthouse in Basin, but that the building would at least be closed through Monday.

To aid Big Horn County residents, the Park County clerk’s and treasurer’s offices plan to open their Powell satellite office on Monday. Staffers will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second floor of the Park County Annex, 109 W. 14th St.

“I just thought it was a good idea to help them [Big Horn County] out,” Poley said. “Hopefully they’d do the same for us.”

Park County personnel may be able to offer some other services to Big Horn County residents beyond license plate renewals, but they won’t be able to process things like Big Horn County property tax payments.

Park County residents are also welcome to use the Powell satellite office on Monday; it will be open as usual on Aug. 19-20 — the third Monday and Tuesday of the month.