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Committee questions timing, procurement for $709,078 in school HVAC controls; $550,000 contingency fund approved
Summary
Committee members pressed school staff on installation timing and bidding for a $709,078 HVAC controls contract and approved a separate $550,000 fund for unplanned HVAC replacements; both items were forwarded to the commission after discussion (each passed 4–1).
The Blount County Budget Committee discussed procurement timing and cost estimates before forwarding two related Blount County Schools budget items: $709,078 to replace outdated HVAC control systems at two middle schools and the William Blount Ninth Grade Academy (Resolution 25-08-005), and $550,000 to set aside unplanned HVAC replacement funds for fiscal year 2025–26 (Resolution 25-08-007). Both motions were forwarded to the full commission; each passed in committee by a 4–1 vote.
Commissioner Hannam pressed school staff for clarity on whether materials were on hand and when installation would start. “Are the funds in hand, or are we still waiting on them?” Hannam asked. Britney, a county staff member, responded: “It is in hand. Yes. So it’s just a pass through.”
James Dukes, a school staff member, told the committee the quoted costs are in line with previous projects at Heritage Middle School and Union Grove Middle School and that the county entered a cooperative agreement to replace outdated Novar controls with current systems. Dukes said installations will be scheduled “throughout the school year” after the purchase order is issued and that materials cannot be ordered until the commission approves funding. “They’ll then order the materials, and they’ll coordinate on the installment while school’s in session,” Dukes said.
Several commissioners said they would prefer a clearer installation schedule before the county issues purchase orders. One commissioner said they were “a whole lot more comfortable to know when you’re gonna put them in before you put in your purchase order,” expressing concern that the county could pay for materials months before installation.
The $550,000 contingency fund was explained as a pooled amount to address broken HVAC units that require replacement at short notice; staff said past unplanned replacements and ESSER‑funded purchases combined average roughly the requested amount. Staff noted the difficulty in estimating how many units $550,000 will replace because units vary widely in size and cost.
Both items were forwarded to the commission workshop for final consideration.
