In today’s tight financial times, the $11,356.25 worth of taxpayer funds used to fix the wrong color paint applied to the McLennan County Courthouse dome is a serious burden to taxpayers. Granted, this amount of money won’t break our county’s finances, but it does anger us. It brings into question the matter of fairness. Namely: It’s unfair for hardworking citizens to foot the bill for this unnecessary debacle.

The Texas Historical Commission — which oversees all renovation decisions to historical buildings like this — and the Austin-based architect ArchiTexas — which issued the order to use the paint — should take responsibility.

More so, they should be reprimanded for not further communicating or heeding the concerns of McLennan County commissioners, who months ago voiced concerns that the color would be too dark.

Commissioner Joe Mashek on Tuesday in commissioners court declared that the county should approach ArchiTexas about paying 10 percent of the new paint costs. On Wednesday, Mashek backed away a bit when questioned by Trib reporter Regina Dennis, saying he’ll allow County Judge Jim Lewis to take the lead.

We say give ’em heck, judge. And make ArchiTexas pay the entire cost.

A conversation between the judge and ArchiTexas was expected before week’s end. We hope ArchiTexas returns the judge’s phone calls; they didn’t return several Trib calls.

Sadly, this illustrates a bigger problem pervasive in our society when state and federal governments overlook smaller entities and send down orders that ultimately compel townsfolk to pay even more.

We realize the THC has an important job ensuring that the original integrity of a historical building remains intact. But there are practical concerns they must consider, too, like how something will end up looking.

When the THC approved the tan “Downing Sands” color by Sherwin Williams, (unlike the white most of us are used to seeing at the courthouse), they should have painted a swath sample. They should have realized how it would look once dry. And they should have reconsidered this decision when Mashek told them in May — before it was fully painted in June — that it would be too dark.

Nevertheless, THC members and ArchiTexas made the call, and the order was given to Johnson Roofing Co. Inc. to apply the paint on the Victorian-style dome circa 1901.

Praise goes to Johnson Roofing project manager Mike Anderson, whose company promptly notified officials that the darker hue and glossy texture did not match adjoining surfaces. But, alas, their complaints fell on deaf ears, as he stated in a Letter to the Editor on Thursday.

Now it will take two coats of a lighter color to correct the problem. Graciously, Johnson Roofing has offered to forgo labor costs or profits and is only charging for materials. But those materials should not be paid by taxpayers at all.