Fremont County commissioners approved an emergency purchase to replace a failed cooling compressor in the county administration building, voting to authorize up to $34,000 from emergency funds and the capital revolving account.

Maintenance staff reported a major malfunction after attempting to restart the north-side cooling unit; the unit’s failure blew the transformer or relay and could not be repaired locally. A staff description said the compressor is custom and replacement parts have a 25-day lead time. The county maintenance presentation explained the unit serves public health offices on the top floor and portions of the clerk and assessor areas.

A commissioner moved to approve the purchase, specifying a cost of $33,462 (later amended so the expenditure would not exceed $34,000). The motion to draw the funds from emergency and capital-revolving accounts was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. "I move that we approve this purchase for $33,462 through the emergency funds and the capital revolving," the motion included in the record said.

Officials discussed temporary measures while the new compressor is delivered, including moving fans and portable units into affected offices and directing staff to check individual discomforts. The county treasurer confirmed available cash in reserves, and the board agreed to use emergency funds for the immediate replacement.

Why it matters: the failure affected staff working spaces in multiple county offices and required an unplanned capital expenditure for building systems. The board authorized immediate action and funding to restore cooling, and instructed staff to pursue temporary mitigation while the new unit is installed.