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County weighs jail HVAC fixes, wearable monitors and expansion planning
Summary
Staff told commissioners the jail maintenance budget is strained and recommended a test‑and‑balance HVAC service ($11,300) to complete system acceptance; the county also proposed a five‑year wearable‑monitor plan (~$18,500) to monitor ambulatory inmates and discussed contracting CH Architects to produce drawings and budgets for a jail addition.
Administrator Bernard and facility staff briefed the commission on corrections building maintenance and capital planning. Bernard said the jail maintenance budget is currently depleted after recent emergency repairs (boiler pump, lightning damage) and that a test‑and‑balance service for HVAC—priced at $11,300—was needed to verify whether recent equipment changes resolved humidity and airflow problems.
"Once we do this, then we see if the system's going to work," Bernard said, and noted the county has not yet accepted several units pending a full hot‑to‑cold cycle and satisfactory testing. Staff advised that acceptance triggers warranty start dates.
Separately, Bernard said the jail has used opioid‑funding to buy monitor devices and proposed adding a wearable‑bracelet program (five‑year service plan) at a quoted cost of about $18,500 to permit ambulatory inmates to be monitored in dorms and free up space in the medical ward. He said electrical/data work to support the bracelets could add roughly $1,000.
Bernard also described progress on the sheriff's training center (foundation work starting soon) and a request to enter a contract with CH Architects to produce drawings and a budget estimate for an addition to the jail. Staff noted there is bond money on hand but that the total project will require additional funding; early estimates discussed in the session ranged widely and staff said they need firm architect budgets to inform future bonding or budgeting.
The commission asked staff to bring test‑and‑balance procurement and a contract recommendation for CH Architects to a future agenda and to clarify funding sources and bond constraints before committing to large capital expenditures.
