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Cannon County board hears costly HVAC and boiler problems, vendors to re-inspect
Summary
District facilities staff reported multiple 20–25-year-old rooftop units and a boiler likely damaged by hard water; vendor bids from a prior year ranged from $82,000–$87,000 and Trane will reinspect. Staff warned of added repair costs for re-plumbing and water softeners and ongoing monthly chemical charges.
District facilities staff told the Cannon County Board of Education that aging rooftop heating, ventilation and air-conditioning units and a likely hard-water–damaged boiler will require significant repairs or replacement.
Staff member (S7), who described on-site inspections and prior vendor quotes, said the rooftop units are about 20–25 years old and that two split units installed in one cafeteria are maintaining temperatures but a large original rooftop unit has reached the end of its useful life. “When we took it apart, it was totally pressed it over with white, you know, hard water,” Staff member (S7) said, describing scale buildup inside the boiler and piping.
The board heard that two contractors previously quoted $82,000 and $87,000 to replace a rooftop unit; staff cautioned those figures could rise because one vendor (Trane) must reissue a bid that is now a year old. Staff member (S7) said Trane technicians are scheduled to return to inspect the boiler and the district’s large holding tank and that the replacement boiler may not fit the current plumbing layout, requiring costly re-plumbing.
Board members and staff discussed whether the district could make an emergency purchase or must follow bidding rules if the cost exceeds procurement thresholds. Committee member (S6) asked whether purchases needed to be bid; Chair (S1) noted the board would need to make a motion if formal procurement is required. Staff member (S3) and others discussed warranty possibilities and asked staff to request any available post-warranty extensions from the vendor.
Staff also raised the need for a water softener to protect future boilers from mineral buildup; staff estimated softener chemicals could add to monthly maintenance costs. “If you put that in, you’re adding another monthly charge,” Staff member (S7) said, noting the district already pays for cooling-tower chemicals at multiple sites.
The board did not make a final procurement decision at the meeting. Trane and other vendors will reinspect the affected equipment and provide updated written estimates; the board expects staff to present updated costs and a recommended procurement approach at a later meeting.
