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Appling County authorizes emergency chiller rental and replacement after lightning strike

Appling County Board of Commissioners · March 1, 2026
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Summary

After the courthouse chiller was struck by lightning and deemed non-repairable, Appling County commissioners approved an immediate rental (first month $11,458 including freight; $6,565 monthly thereafter) and authorized purchase options (purchase $62,905; installation $13,129) while an ACCG insurance claim is pending.

Appling County officials told the Board of Commissioners on Aug. 5 that the courthouse cooling chiller was struck by lightning during recent storms and could not be repaired.

County Manager Reid Lovett said court had to be held in the commissioners' meeting room several times while a temporary fix kept systems running. He presented rental and purchase options from Air Management and recommended immediate rental because delivery of a new unit could take as long as 16 weeks.

The proposal detailed costs: a first-month rental with freight of $11,458 and $6,565 monthly thereafter; a direct purchase price of $62,905 and an installation price of $13,129. Lovett said an insurance claim was filed with the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and that the county would move forward with rental and purchase decisions while awaiting insurance outcomes. "We had court in the Commissioners' room a couple times until a temporary quick fix could be established," Lovett said.

Commissioner Jakharis Jones moved to approve the recommended rental and purchase options; Commissioner Daryl Edwards seconded. The board approved the motion unanimously. The county listed follow-ups to contract the rental, continue the insurance claim process, and schedule replacement should insurance or county funds permit a purchase. Because shipping for a new unit could take up to 16 weeks, the rental provides immediate cooling while facilities staff coordinates installation and claims processing.

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