St. Paul county council has approved a $218,000 investment to upgrade the aging HVAC system at the public works county shop.
Public Works Director Scott Jeffery informed council that the building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is no longer functioning how it should be and is requiring upgrades.
The last update to the system was made in 2014 with grant funding followed by partial work in 2021 that was never fully completed.
The project will be funded through the county’s reserves. When asked about budget implications, CAO Jason Wallsmith reassured council that they could afford the expenses. “I believe it’s an important project to get our fingers on and get it done,” he said.
A motion by councillor Darrell Younghans to approve the upgrades was carried, ensuring the public works office and ship will meet building standards and operate efficiently.
The county will work with Lexis Engineering on the project’s design and seek a qualified firm to complete the installation and handle long-term maintenance.
