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County staff flags failing fire pump at Pines; seeks cost estimate to recondition
Summary
Facilities staff told commissioners a fire‑pump at the Pines is failing and must be reconditioned; an older vendor estimated about $57,000 for replacement, but a newer vendor believes re‑sleeving and repacking could restore reliability for substantially less. Commissioners asked for a best‑estimate cost next week and discussed using maintenance budgets.
Maintenance staff told the commission the fire pump serving the Pines building is leaking and at risk of failure, noting water is currently escaping and the pump’s packings are deteriorated. The vendor formerly estimating full replacement (Johnson Controls) priced reconditioning at roughly $57,000; the county’s new vendor recommended re‑pinning the sleeve and replacing packings and then testing to achieve reliable operation at materially lower cost.
Staff emphasized this is a life‑safety pump that must operate at full reliability in the event of a fire. Commissioners directed facilities staff to request a ballpark estimate from the vendor for the reconditioning option so the commission can consider funding options during next week’s budget review. Staff also suggested maintenance‑repair contingencies and possible use of under‑spent line items (maintenance/repairs) to accelerate work if needed.
No contract was approved at the March 4 meeting; commissioners requested a precise estimate and the earliest available schedule so that procurement and funding decisions can proceed promptly if reconditioning is recommended.
