Facilities director warns of courthouse HVAC failures; commissioners approve $905 tile change order

Angie Davis, LaPorte County director of facilities, told commissioners Feb. 4 that recent work on the courthouse HVAC revealed multiple failures when systems were restarted. "LG was here on Monday for the courthouse. Not great news," Davis said, reporting that both compressors in a secondary second‑floor unit "grounded out" and that electronic expansion valves were not closing properly. She added staff found a first‑floor coil that had been running on about 8 pounds of refrigerant when the system specification calls for roughly 40 pounds, creating a risk of further compressor failure.

Davis said the county salvaged a failed power supply and inverter board from Michigan City and those components are currently installed and running. She said the county is awaiting proposals for replacement compressors and coils and is discussing training with vendors, including LG and Amaresco, to give county maintenance staff hands‑on repair and diagnostic instruction.

On building finishes, Davis requested authority to enter a $905 change order to extend tile up to the soffit on two bathroom walls so the finish lines up with mirrors and appears complete. A commissioner moved to grant Davis authority to enter the change order; the motion passed on a voice vote.

Commissioners also discussed whether retrofitting the courthouse to separate heating and cooling systems and returning to a boiler‑based heat system might be cost‑effective over time, noting the building was designed for boilers and newer boilers can offer efficiency gains. Davis said she and vendor representatives are discussing options and will report back with proposals and cost estimates.

The board directed facilities staff to pursue vendor proposals and training options and to bring cost estimates back to the commissioners for consideration.