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Commission authorizes new control board for courthouse jail elevator after malfunction
Summary
Geary County public works reported the jail elevator malfunctioned Sept. 22. The commission approved purchase of a new control board at $11,604, citing faster lead time and reliability compared with a rebuild option.
County public works told commissioners that a control board failure on the courthouse jail elevator on Sept. 22 rendered the unit inoperable. Technicians provided two options: ship the board for rebuild (quoted at $5,367 with a six‑to‑eight week lead time) or purchase a new board (quoted at $11,604) with shorter lead time and greater expected reliability. Commissioners approved buying the new board so the elevator could be returned to service expeditiously; staff said the work will be funded from the county facilities fund.
Why it matters: The elevator is used to move inmates to courthouse hearings; prolonged downtime affects court operations and inmate transport logistics. Public works said the rebuild option sometimes fails after return and that replacement reduces the risk of recurrent failures.
Details: Public works administrator Jeremy Myers presented the two quotes and recommended the new board; finance staff confirmed the expenditure will be coded to the facilities fund. Commissioners voted to authorize the purchase and directed staff to proceed with ordering and installation. Staff also said the county will work on a longer-term plan to modernize multiple elevators over time to avoid emergency repairs.
Next steps: Order the board, schedule installation and include elevator modernization planning in future facilities planning.
