Butler County commissioners on July 8 approved a contract with Innovative Group to replace rooftop units (RTUs) and controls at the county detention center.

Travis Cornell from Facilities Management told the commission the project is a second phase of rooftop replacement. The county previously replaced one RTU earlier in the year on an emergency basis and now plans to replace four more RTUs plus two ERBs and associated controls to a total not-to-exceed price of $240,680.

Cornell explained the county is replacing aging electric RTUs with gas units to improve reliability and reduce utilities; many of the existing units are more than 20 years old and have exceeded their expected lifespan. He said lead time for some components can be long (about six months for some parts) and the county will continue to prioritize replacement in phases.

Commissioner Herzens moved to approve the Innovative Group contract for the RTU replacement and controls for the detention center and authorize the chair to sign; Commissioner Masterson seconded. The board voted 5-0 to approve the contract.

Ending: Facilities management plans phased replacements going forward; the contract authorizes the work and the chair was authorized to sign.