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Trumbull County commissioners approve emergency $499,009 purchase to replace jail boilers
Summary
The Board of Trumbull County Commissioners voted to approve an emergency purchase of two high-efficiency boilers for the county jail totaling $499,008.90, citing end-of-life equipment and short lead times that could risk heating failures at the facility.
The Trumbull County Board of Commissioners voted to approve an emergency purchase of two new boilers for the county jail at 150 High Street NW in Warren, in a motion that listed labor and materials at $499,008.90 and authorized Commissioner Richard Hernandez to sign related purchase documents.
Commissioners said the existing boilers are about 30 years old and could fail in cold weather. One commissioner, while presenting the motion, said the board had "hired consultants" who provided recommendations and that the new, high-efficiency boilers are expected to "last another 30 to 50 years." Another commissioner described the measure as an "emergency," stressing the need to act quickly because lead times for the equipment were short.
Supporters argued the new boilers’ 94% efficiency rating would produce long-term fuel savings; one speaker said the upgrades would "save us over 1000001 half dollars just in fuel over the lifetime of the boilers" (as stated in the meeting record). Commissioners also said bringing the boilers online promptly could avoid the operational and financial burden of relocating inmates if heating failed.
The board took a recorded vote and Commissioner Malloy, Commissioner Bernard and Commissioner Hernandez each voted yes; the motion passed.
The board described funding for the purchase as coming from existing county accounts (fund 079) and said staff routed the procurement through state purchasing as an emergency measure, a step recommended by the county facilities administrator and cleared by the prosecutor’s office. Commissioners said they had engaged consultants and vendors to minimize lead time and labor delays and expected installation to be completed within roughly 60 days.
The board did not provide a detailed vendor name in the public motion beyond referencing state purchasing contract RS1027205 and a vendor with parts in stock; procurement records and contract documents will provide the vendor identity and exact delivery timeline when finalized.
The board moved into an executive session later in the agenda and then adjourned; no further public action on the boiler purchase was recorded in the public portion of the meeting.
