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Board approves multiple emergency HVAC repairs; members ask whether repeated emergency purchases risk audit findings
Summary
The board authorized three emergency repairs to Bellaire Mechanical and discussed whether handling recurring repairs as separate emergency purchases could expose the district to Auditor General findings; staff said they will explore options such as standing POs and will submit emergencies for School Facilities Board reimbursement where eligible.
The Fountain Hills Unified School board authorized several emergency facilities repairs and used the votes to examine procurement practice. The board approved three emergency Bellaire Mechanical charges: $883.15 for a central-plant repair, $760 for AC repairs in classrooms/ gym, and $475 for a sitewide AC pump that had shut down a school.
Board members pressed staff about whether treating routine repairs as emergency purchases and approving each after the fact could lead to deficiencies in an audit by the Arizona Auditor General. One board member said she was "fine doing it this way as long as it—s not going to put us in jeopardy with a deficiency on our audit with the AG," and asked staff to confirm. Superintendent Doctor Jay said he had discussed the issue with consultants and would work with district finance staff (Tyler and Chris) to explore alternatives such as limited standing POs for frequent vendors and reiterated that emergency repairs may be submitted to the School Facilities Board for possible reimbursement.
Board members also requested that representatives from Climate Tech and Bellaire attend a future meeting to explain repeated undercharges and service details; staff committed to scheduling that presentation. The motions to approve the emergency repairs were moved, seconded and carried by voice votes.
