Commissioners back sheriff's canopy recommendation and approve three major chiller repairs at Hancock County jail

Sheriff Burkhart told commissioners on May 19 that the walkway between the administration building and the jail repeatedly fills with snow and ice, creating a safety hazard for visitors and staff. He presented three quotes for a free-standing canopy along a 98-foot walkway and asked the board to approve the project and forward a favorable recommendation to county council for funding.

"It's an accident waiting to happen," Sheriff Burkhart said of the walkway conditions. The board approved a motion to support the project and send the preferred scope and pricing to the council for final funding approval.

Separately, commissioners approved three repair quotes for the jail's chillers after staff warned units are experiencing repeated failures and are out of warranty. The board approved a west chiller condenser coil replacement (not to exceed $23,492.77), an east chiller compressor replacement (not to exceed $33,859.33), and an east chiller glycol pump replacement (not to exceed $9,742). The sheriff said staff is coordinating with manufacturers about possible warranty coverage for some components; commissioners agreed to determine whether payments will come from the CCD fund or the 2025 GO fund once invoices are received.

The board also approved a five-year fire-suppression inspection contract for the jail (Shambaugh & Son), not to exceed $6,100.

Next steps: staff will obtain final pricing details and identify the funding source for the chiller repairs and forward the canopy package to county council for appropriation and approval.