A bid of slightly more than $1.7 million to replace the HVAC system at the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department and its jail was accepted by county officials earlier this month.
“The original piping and duct work will remain but will be cleaned; all other equipment and systems will be replaced with new,” said Steve Dreher, director of facilities and grounds. “This will include new controls.”
Bids were opened at the Nov. 7 public property committee meeting, and the low bid of $1,713,860 from J.F. Ahren Co. was accepted, and then agreed to by the executive committee Nov. 13.
Two other bids were also submitted.
Mechanical Technologies Inc. bid $1,997,768, and August Winter and Sons Inc. bid $2.3 million.
The project will be paid for with the remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
One of the concerns noted was whether the county wanted to invest the funds into a facility that may be demolished in a few years if officials decide to build new.
Supervisor Tom Kautza said the public property committee wasn’t sure if the project should be completed.
“They didn’t formally vote on it, but they think it should be done,” Kautza told the executive committee.
Sheriff George Lenzner said there were earlier concerns the bids would be much higher than the county had funds.
“Do you invest in something when you have an ad hoc committee out there that still hasn’t given their recommendation?” he said. “We don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. How long does this system last? Do we invest $2 million in something for all we know could be demolished in 10 years?”
Kautza said that’s the same question about most of the county buildings, including the courthouse and library.
Supervisor Randy Young said he was told the existing unit is on its last legs and needs to be replaced.
“I hate to spend that kind of money, but whatever happens, you guys are going to be in that building for at least five years,” Kautza told Lenzner.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
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