County changes course for replacing hot water boilers

The Lincoln County Commissioners thought they were getting a good deal when they recently approved a deal to replace two boilers at the county courthouse.

But some confusion about the deal turned it into a situation where they’re hoping one of the heating units has a longer shelf life.

Ultimately, the commissioners approved a deal on Feb. 21 to replace a leaking boiler that provides hot water to the county jail. The hot water heater and circulation pumps will cost $73,112. It will be paid from payment in lieu of taxes, federal payments that help local governments offset losses in property taxes due to the existence of nontaxable federal lands within their boundaries.

Lincoln County Maintenance Director Joe Nagle brought the matter of the leaking hot water boiler, installed in 1978, to the commissioners on Feb. 7.

Nagle said the boilers had exceeded their lifespan and the issue of them being located on the courthouse roof. Nagle said there were no local companies that could do the work. When he expanded his search, he learned that Kalispell-based Comfort Systems of USA could do the work. He also said there were no other contenders for the job and as a result, no other bids.

The bid was for $73,112 to replace the boiler. The cost included a crane that would be needed to install the boiler. To replace both systems, the cost would be $146,224. 

Then, at the Feb.14 meeting, District 2 commissioner Jim Hammons said he was on the roof with Nagle and said the boiler was, “leaking pretty good.”

Hammons added that only one company was interested and others that had been contacted weren’t interested in the job.

“We’re on borrowed time for both units,” District 1 commissioner Brent Teske said.

The commissioners approved spending $136,377 to replace both boilers.

But during the Feb. 21 meeting, Nagle was back to report that there was some confusion about the cost of the project. A salesman was blamed for the discrepancy in the cost, which would have been more than $200,000 to replace both boilers.

That led commissioners to rescind the approval to spend $136,377 and make it $73,112 for the system that is leaking.

District 3 Commissioner Josh Letcher said it would be nice to get both done, but, “That's a lot of money.”

Hammons suggested the maintenance department look for other suppliers once the first boiler is replaced.