Fairgrounds committee members presented a proposal to install four mini-split heating and cooling units in the main fairgrounds building to heat and cool separate rooms (two large units for the main room plus units for bathrooms, kitchen and an L-shaped room). The presentation described the units as more efficient than existing heaters and noted a recent federal refrigerant change that makes newer units easier to service.

A printed estimate provided to commissioners lists a total of $48,210.38 for the units and installation (the committee cited that number during the meeting). Commissioners and committee members noted additional electrical work likely would be required; an estimate discussed in the meeting for pulling service and upgrades was about $4,000 to $5,000.

A commissioner suggested the SPARK committee (or remaining ARPA funds administered by that body) as a potential funding source for infrastructure improvements. The board advised the fairgrounds committee to prepare and submit a proposal to Kelly, who collects proposals for the SPARK/ARPA committee and brings them to the committee for action.

Speakers added that the committee plans to do as much of the work as possible internally and expects the upgrades would make the building more rentable, improve comfort and address known electrical capacity constraints in the building. No formal spending approval was recorded at the meeting; commissioners asked the committee to submit the formal proposal to Kelly for review by the SPARK/ARPA committee.