Pulaski County detention facility needs structural work for new HVAC units; court to send contingency funding to full court

Chuck Hendricks, chief deputy of detention at the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, described a site assessment that found the originally installed HVAC equipment and installs were not sufficient for heavier replacement units.

"What we're proposing tonight is to put 2 I beams in so that it can handle the weight that the new air conditioners are gonna have to hold," Hendricks said, and he introduced Jim Gorman, a Trane project manager who was present for technical questions.

Justices pressed for budget context and contingency balances. A finance official said there was about $4,000,000 remaining in contingency at one point, and discussion revealed the sheriff’s office had already spent roughly $900,000 on the initial installation. During the exchange a justice referenced an approximate additional structural cost of $540,000 to place red iron beams spread across the roof rather than in one consolidated area.

Deputy Hendricks and others said the work had arisen from the site assessment and that the additional steel is needed to distribute the load of the new units. Several justices questioned whether line items or existing budgets could cover the cost; officials said previously allocated funds had been spent and the department lacks the uncommitted funds.

The court moved to send ordinance 25I56 to the full court with a due‑pass recommendation. On the recorded roll call the motion passed with 12 ayes and one justice recorded as voting "present."