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Chase County hears $28,000‑plus detention‑center HVAC estimate; moves forward on equipment financing
Summary
Facilities staff presented reports from new thermostats showing multiple HVAC failures in the detention center and quoted roughly $28,166 to replace several units and perform ductwork; commissioners also discussed motor grader blade trades and authorized staff to pursue municipal lease financing for replacement blades, and they reviewed an ambulance procurement recommendation that was left for later action.
County facilities staff told commissioners that recent thermostat installs at the detention center revealed persistent cooling and heating failures in multiple zones and presented contractor quotes to address four main issues.
The facilities presenter described alerts and reports showing continuous air‑conditioning operation in the medical hallway without effective cooling. "All in all ... we're looking at a little over $28,166," the presenter said, summarizing vendor estimates: roughly $10,871.29 for each of two large AC/furnace units (installed in two locations where none currently exist), $3,951.59 for lobby/east‑side furnace work, and an estimated $2,400 of ductwork work if needed. Staff noted warranty options (a two‑year unit vs. a $1,000 premium for a 10‑year warranty) and flagged that some existing units may be near end of life.
Commissioners discussed preserving negative‑air/isolated rooms used for medical or intake purposes and asked staff to prioritize fixes that preserve those functions. The presenter said the work would come out of the detention budget and not the county general tax levy.
On a separate capital‑equipment item, public works staff requested authority to trade two motor grader blades under a five‑year rotation and to pursue municipal‑lease financing. Staff said trade allowances and market conditions improved since the last purchase and recommended proceeding with financing paperwork and final approval at an upcoming meeting. Commissioners agreed to authorize staff to move forward with financing arrangements and sign purchase documents pending final review.
Officials also reviewed an EMS presentation about replacing an aging ambulance and options for placing the current 2013 unit in reserve status or auctioning it; the board of EMS regulations and a possible $500 transfer fee related to power‑load equipment were discussed. Commissioners deferred final ambulance purchase action until the chair could be present.
Next steps: facilities staff will refine quotes and return with purchase requests and a funding plan; public works will proceed with financing discussions for motor‑grader blades and report back; ambulance procurement will be revisited at the next meeting when all commissioners are present.
