Columbia County considers replacing failing boilers at Burt Howson Annex

Riley Baker, Columbia County’s general services director, told the board that two 15‑year‑old boilers at the Burt Howson Annex have repeatedly failed and that repairs since September have totaled about $17,000. “We need at least 1 boiler,” Baker said, and presented vendor quotes for replacement.

Baker said five contractors inspected the system and that Southland HVAC submitted the lowest bid to replace both boilers: $145,988. Southland also offered a two‑day expedited shipping option for about $4,500 and said it could start the installation next week. Other suppliers told staff they could get equipment from their suppliers in roughly four days.

Baker described operational issues potentially linked to an inaccessible short section of supply/return piping near the elevator vestibule, which may be allowing air and debris into the hydronic loop. He said the system circulates roughly 700 gallons of water and maintenance had located three small leaks that together lost about a gallon over an eight‑hour period. Baker warned that, even if the boilers are replaced, the buried line could still introduce air to the system and remain a variable.

The chair explained that moving forward under an emergency procurement would require a board order declaring the emergency and formal approval (the chair said that could not be finalized until the board meets next Wednesday). Commissioners pressed staff to get outstanding bids and additional information; the board directed staff to return with the missing quotes by Friday so members could decide whether to use the lowest bid now or wait and replace both units to capture a roughly $15,000 scale savings.

The board did not take a final procurement vote at the meeting. Next steps: staff will collect the remaining bids, report back by Friday, and the board may either execute an emergency procurement next week or authorize a standard contract process after reviewing the additional quotes.