Consultants present three HVAC paths, masonry needs and recommend RFQ for courthouse work

Consultants working with county staff presented a range of solutions for replacing aging window air conditioners and addressing the courthouse exterior and masonry, and commissioners discussed phasing and funding options.

Eric Johnson of CMTA (speaker S12) described three options: a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) cassette approach that is relatively noninvasive; adding a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) with energy recovery and ductwork to provide code‑compliant ventilation at a cost the consultant estimated “about you know, it's probably 300,000 or so” for the DOAS and associated work; and a comprehensive replacement of heating and cooling with a boiler plant, chilled water and four‑pipe fan coils that would be more invasive but potentially a 35–40 year solution. Johnson said VRF is “probably the least invasive solution” and that a DOAS addresses fresh‑air code needs.

Commissioners also discussed exterior masonry and stone repair needs. One commissioner summarized a rough exterior-repair estimate in the mid‑hundreds of thousands to low millions range and suggested pursuing an RFQ for architectural services to produce plans, phased scopes and grant‑ready materials: “maybe an idea is formalizing an agreement with an architectural service...having them draft some plans together,” S7 said. The commission directed staff to proceed with initial steps to scope an RFQ and to bring cost estimates and possible phased approaches back for budget planning.