Pulaski County Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston presented the county council members Monday night with several issues with the Justice Center.
Johnston explained the issues.
“The air units on the rooftop of the Justice Center are 17 years old and they have 15 year life spans. Four of them have already failed and the fifth one is failing now. We’re replaced four this year. We still have seven that are about to give it up. We’ve got three water heaters in the upstairs room, one of which failed its inspection from the state. We’ve replaced it but another one started leaking out of the bottom. Those machines are also past their life span by about seven years. We have two water softeners in that same room that are also leaking out of the top and they’re getting ready to go as well,” said Johnston.
Johnston said despite preventative maintenance this equipment needs to be replaced soon. He mentioned that he talked to Sheriff Michael Gayer and to Auditor Shelia Garling and there is enough in the County Adjusted Gross Income Tax, or CAGIT, fund to pay for all of the new equipment this year.
Johnston said the estimate for all of the repairs would be anywhere from $215,000 to $250,000.
Council President Jay Sullivan questioned the need for water softeners and Johnston said there are valves that are corroding because the water softeners are not working properly. Johnston said he’ll research that issue a little further but will still get a quote for the new water softeners.
There is not a quick turnaround time to get the equipment ordered and installed. Johnston asked the council for their approval to move forward so he can get quickly quotes to present to the commissioners at their next meeting on Monday. The council gave Johnston permission to move forward.
