Schuylkill Commissioners likely will approve a request to upgrade the HVAC system at Schuylkill County Prison this morning.
But the price tag for the project has gone up dramatically since an initial price was floated in late-August. According to today’s meeting Agenda, the new HVAC system will cost the County $1,176,959.
That figure is way over the $770,900 (as reported by the Times-News) originally suggested at a Prison Board meeting nearly 2 months ago, more than $400,000 higher.
The money for the project will come from the county’s $12.7 million CARES Act allocation.
Schuylkill Prison HVAC Upgrades New Price – $1.17 Million
An HVAC system is just another pet project the Commissioners are pursuing with its COVID jackpot. They keep spending this money on government projects while the small businesses who are waiting to hear about grants they applied for from this money continue to wait on a decision.
Those projects include:
- Upgraded 9-1-1 communications
- Prison HVAC system
- Touchless toilets and sinks at county restrooms
In August, the Prison Board voted to recommend this project to Schuylkill County Commissioners. Back then, Administrator Gary Bender said the system was needed because high humidity at the prison made walkways slippery.
County Engineer Lisa Mahall told the Prison Board in August that the new HVAC system would provide two ways to kill any potential COVID virus there. If it’s the same system being proposed at the much higher cost, it would use UV light and air ionization technologies.
If Commissioners approve a motion to go ahead with the work at this cost, it would award a contract to McClure Company. The price tag includes equipment, digital controls, and an intake purge fan system.
The project should be completed before the end of the year.
ALSO READ:
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- Flawed Applications Blamed for Stalled CARES Act Relief in Schuylkill County
- Schuylkill County to Spend $238K for a $5 Problem
- Schuylkill County Agrees to Spend $855K More on 9-1-1 Project
- State Orders Schuylkill County to Release Halcovage Tape
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