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WALKER-Five air conditioning units were installed on the Cass County Courthouse roof in 1989 as a part of a remodeling project.

One of those air conditioning units sprung a leak in early May this year and lost all of its freon, Tim Richardson, central services director, reported to the county board Tuesday, June 4. The leak has been plugged but freon is not only expensive, it will not be available after 2020, he said.

Richardson proposed to have Honeywell replace that unit this year for $12,200. It not only will use a more modern coolant, but also will operate more efficiently and allow more outside air in the shoulder seasons, he said.

The units are so heavy that a crane will be needed to remove and replace them, he said. The crane cost is included in the price.

The cost can be paid from the $100,000 the county sets aside annually for courthouse maintenance, he added.

The county board approved this purchase.

Richardson also proposed to replace each of the remaining units over the following four years, with one being replaced each year-assuming they survive that long.

There also is a sixth, slightly newer unit serving the courthouse, which can wait a little longer for replacement.

The board approved extending the county's ongoing maintenance contract for servicing HVAC units with Honeywell to include all seven highway department garages for an additional $20,800 per year.

This contract has Honeywell provide all parts, labor, transportation and other costs for maintenance work within that flat rate amount. Once existing repairs have been completed at the county's main garbage and recycling transfer station north of Pine River, that building also will be added to the contract for another $2,600 per year.

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