Board approves courthouse cooling-tower replacement and phased building repairs

The Vermilion County Board approved a resolution to replace a nearly inoperable cooling tower and authorized a package of phased repairs for the courthouse, including roof work, power cleaning and an extensive elevator overhaul.

County facilities staff said the courthouse cooling tower is about 40 years old and had internal damage. Superintendent Kyle Meadows told the board "the coil inside the cooling tower has busted" and that liner material from the unit had fallen into the system, creating problems for newer building systems.

The board approved the cooling-tower replacement and the wider facilities package by roll call (21 yes, six absent). County staff said the multi-item project would be executed in stages so the county would not have to pay a single large lump sum; officials noted the elevator work would be substantial and forecast that elevator work might not be completed until 2027.

Officials emphasized coordination of the roof work with the cooling-tower replacement to avoid rework and said contractor bids include allowances for hidden conditions discovered during inspection.

Why it matters: The courthouse serves county government operations and the planned phased approach intends to limit one-time budget impacts while addressing failing mechanical systems. Officials said they would work to maintain access for residents, arrange temporary accommodations for handicapped customers while the elevator work continues, and coordinate scheduling to minimize service disruption.