Whitfield commissioners briefed on need for new air conditioning units at the jail to keep new security system cool

Published 7:19 pm Monday, February 24, 2020

Planned security upgrades at the Whitfield County jail will first require some changes to the air conditioning.

“Two whole air units must be replaced,” said sheriff’s office Capt. Wesley Lynch. “They were going down anyway. And some rerouting of the current air systems will also be done.”

Lynch briefed members of the county Board of Commissioners on the project Monday night.

Lynch said the changes will affect three areas where electronics for the new security system will be placed.

“The heat in those areas puts our new systems at risk without proper ventilation.” he said.

The cost of the project is expected to be about $24,000.

Commissioners have already approved a half-million dollar replacement of the jail’s security system. Commissioners will pay for that out of the general fund, but if voters approve a four-year, $66 million Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) that will be on the May 19 general primary ballot, commissioners will use part of that money to reimburse the general fund for that expense. A SPLOST is a 1% tax on most goods sold in the county that can be used for capital projects and some other items but not operating expenses.

County Administrator Mark Gibson said the county will also use SPLOST funds to reimburse the general fund for the cost of the air conditioning upgrade.

Commissioners are expected to vote on the air conditioning upgrade at their Monday, March 9, meeting.