Smith County supervisors directed county staff to move forward with design work for a variable‑refrigerant‑flow (VRF) replacement of the courthouse HVAC system, endorsing a committee recommendation that the work be specified now and bid later and that replacement be phased to reduce operational disruption.

County staff and an engineering consultant told the board the existing HVAC system—installed during a courthouse remodel about a decade ago—has reached end of manufacturer support. Two rooftop units were described as “completely dead” and parts and service were unavailable, leaving one court without air conditioning and a data room without climate control. The consultant presented two alternatives: rooftop units (RTUs) that would require new ductwork and possible structural and electrical upgrades, or a VRF system that would reuse many existing indoor units and minimize new ductwork.

The committee recommended the VRF option. Staff said VRF has higher initial cost but can be phased: immediately replace the two failed units and install a central controller or “brain” to integrate older units so the remaining working units can stay online until replaced. The engineering estimate presented to the board for a turnkey VRF replacement was approximately $4 million; staff and supervisors discussed that an initial phase (two units plus control integration) could be in the roughly $1.05–1.6 million range, with later phases funded through the capital improvements plan.

Supervisors asked for more detailed cost breakdowns, warranties, operations and maintenance implications and to ensure the engineering specifications would solicit competitive bids. County staff said Thompson & Litton would prepare the design documents and specifications that would allow formal bidding; supervisors noted county procurement rules typically require multiple bids for a project of this size.

The board recorded a unanimous vote to authorize County Administrator to direct Thompson & Litton to proceed with VRF system design work and to return to the board with detailed specifications, phased cost estimates, and operational details including expected long‑term maintenance and service arrangements.

Staff emphasized that final contracting and installation would come later and that further board approvals would be required before construction started.