A malfunctioning air conditioner atop the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department will be repaired with another plan to be developed concerning replacement.
Marshall County Jail Maintenance Director Gary Masterson said the 20-ton unit that needs to be replaced is not running at full capacity.
“It’s only running at half of its capacity,” said Masterson. “It has two compressors in it’s only running on one right now. It’s $5,000 a piece to replace the compressors if that compressor goes out because it’s trying to keep up by itself. You’ve keep in mind it’s over the kitchen and this thing runs seven days a week. It’s got a lot of hours on it.”
Masterson said on the really hot days, it can get up to 90 degrees in the kitchen.
If the council were to approve the complete replacement of the unit, it could take eight weeks to even get the unit to install it on top of the jail.
Masterson was asked if he could look at the cost into what it would take to move the air conditioning units from the top of the building to the ground level. They would be placed by the evacuation area with fencing around it. Duct work would need to be redone along with other components if the air conditioning units were to be moved.
The air conditioning units are 10 years old and nearing the end of their expected operating life.
Sheriff Matt Hassel noted that a quote was obtained for the repair of the unit and another for the total replacement. The cost to repair is $8,550 while the replacement would be $56,675. Masterson commented that the repair would be quicker than waiting on a unit to be ordered, delivered and installed.
It was suggested that the repairs be done to the unit at a cost of $8550. In addition, Masterson was asked to take a look at formulating a long range plan to move the units from the roof to the ground level. The council members agreed and unanimously approved those suggestions in the form of a motion.
