County facilities staff say two Admin Building boilers need replacement; quote about $60,500 per unit

Portage County facilities staff told commissioners on Aug. 26, 2025, that two boilers at the Administration Building are no longer operational and that replacing a single boiler and installation was quoted at approximately $60,500.

The facilities speaker said the building currently has three boilers, only one of which was working but leaking; a second has been unused for years and the leaking unit is “on its way out.” The vendor quote of roughly $60,500 per boiler was presented as a single-unit installation cost for the building.

Staff recommended purchasing one boiler immediately to maintain building heating and planning to purchase a second early next year because the county does not have the funds in the current budget to buy two units now. Commissioners agreed that a boiler is a priority and that emergent building repairs should take precedence over some unfunded departmental requests if necessary.

There was no formal vote at the meeting to appropriate funds; staff said they would proceed to secure one replacement and return with further procurement details as required. Commissioners noted lead times for new equipment and the need to avoid a gap while a unit is installed and commissioned.

The facilities update also included an item that the annex building partial occupancy inspection is scheduled for Sept. 4 and that one fire-rated door for the stairwell remains on order with an expected six-week lead time.