Board approves $441,352 HVAC renovation for courthouse third floor; additional design work authorized for first floor

Meriwether County commissioners approved a $441,352 contract to renovate the courthouse third-floor HVAC system and authorized necessary contract amendments at the May 11 meeting.

River City Contracting representative Travis Evans presented a proposal that included $441,352 for HVAC work and $35,308.16 for engineering fees; staff said the HVAC portion would be paid from SPLOST while engineering fees would come from the General Fund. The board approved the project and authorized the chairman to sign the contract amendment.

Evans described the third-floor scope as HVAC replacement, removal of old split units, associated electrical work, and ceiling demolition; a separate subsequent proposal will address finishes (carpet, paint and trim). Evans also provided an updated contingency log showing a remaining contingency of $11,598.50 if the change order was approved.

Commissioners also approved Change Order No. 10 to address additional tuckpointing, brick replacement and terracotta band repairs on the south and east elevations. County Administrator John Gorton told the board the total courthouse project cost, with the HVAC phase included, would be approximately $2,579,131 to date.

Because the first-floor system is also failing, the Board authorized staff to obtain design and pricing for first-floor HVAC replacement so the county can evaluate costs and return to the Board for funding decisions.

“Removal of the nonfunctional split units and repair of the associated walls is included in the proposal,” Evans said. The board approved the HVAC work and the change order by unanimous vote.

Staff will bring final design pricing for the first-floor system back to the Board for a funding decision; pending expenditures will use existing SPLOST balances as proposed.