To help save energy at the Douglas County Courthouse, county commissioners agreed Wednesday to spend close to $40,000 to upgrade the building’s windows.

That expense is expected to be repaid in seven to eight years through savings in the county’s gas and electric bills. The county also anticipates a $9,000 tax credit for the upgrades.

Originally, the county looked at replacing all the windows in the 107-year-old building. But when the bill came back at nearly half a million dollars, the commission reevaluated that plan.

The $39,000 bid will cover the cost to caulk, repair and clean the building’s windows. The contract went to Restoration and Waterproofing Contractors, the company that repaired the stonework on the building.

The building’s storm windows date to the 1970s, and there are some windows that are as old as the building, said County Administrator Craig Weinaug. Over the years, some have become drafty.

“The project essentially secures all the windows,” Weinaug said.

In other business Wednesday night, the commission approved a temporary-use permit for a haunted farm at 1029 N. 1156 Road. The property is southwest of Lawrence near Clinton Lake.

Landowner Steve Cates said he has plans to build a maze, vortex tunnel and saw mill. The haunted farm would be open on the weekends of Oct. 22-23 and Oct. 29-30 from dusk to 11 p.m.

Cates said he anticipates between 200 and 400 people would visit the haunted farm, which would charge for admission.