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Coffee County reports HVAC controller problems and tampering at Justice Center pods
Summary
County staff reported roughly $82,000 in quoted repairs for the jail HVAC and related systems, with about $30,000 completed. Committee members said some pod thermostats and speakers have been tampered with and that staff plans to relocate temperature sensors to return-air locations to obtain accurate readings.
County staff told the Capital Outlay Committee on Nov. 6 that the Justice Center jail has approximately $82,000 in quoted repairs for HVAC and related systems, and that about $30,000 of that work has been completed. The update emphasized persistent issues with temperature controllers and pod thermostats, which staff said have returned inconsistent readings.
A county staff speaker described a controller that reported temperatures in the mid-60s while interior measurements showed temperatures near 78 degrees, and explained that many thermostats were originally placed in locations where they read inaccurately (for example, inside small janitor closets or above ceiling cavities where heat rises). The committee discussed moving sensors to return-air ducts to better reflect the building temperature and replacing damaged or missing thermostats in stages to control costs.
Members also raised facility vulnerability to inmate tampering: staff said speakers and thermostat covers—designed to be tamper resistant—have been damaged or removed over time. A county speaker said some inmates "will take those out and take that wiring out" and that staff have used tamper-resistant screws and other measures, but replacements remain necessary.
The transcript records no new capital appropriation or change order approved at the meeting. Committee members described a process in which corrections are handled via work orders that COs generate and maintenance staff close out after inspections.
