Board approves courthouse HVAC upgrade, awards low bid and authorizes contingency funding

Cooch County commissioners on Aug. 26 approved replacement of the courthouse east and west HVAC systems, awarding the low bid of $205,650 to LEM and authorizing staff to balance the project against contingency and the county’s sinking building fund.

Facilities staff reported three bids: LEM at $205,650, Johnson Controls at roughly $275,150, and Shannon’s at about $366,200. The county’s facilities manager told the board that switching from window units to packaged HVAC units would likely reduce energy use (staff estimated roughly $3,000 per year conservatively) and improve interior noise and comfort. Minnesota Power was reported to offer approximately $2,000 in conservative rebates for the project.

Staff presented a funding plan showing a sinking building fund balance of about $343,000, an unspent contingency of $100,000, and $93,000 budgeted in the current year for the project. After accounting for other budget pressures, staff estimated the county would need roughly $171,000 in additional coverage to complete the full east/west replacement; commissioners authorized using a mix of contingency and sinking building funds and directed staff to finalize transfers and year-end adjustments to keep the 2025 budget in balance.

Commissioner Roche moved to accept the low bid (LEM) and proceed; Commissioner Adam McIntyre seconded. The motion carried by voice vote.

Ending: Staff will execute the contract with LEM, coordinate minor concrete and electrical subcontracts, and return with final budget adjustments and projected energy savings after installation.