Boynton Beach staff propose surplusing two oversized chillers to fund redundant unit

City staff told the Boynton Beach City Commission on Tuesday that two large chillers installed for the DES plant but never placed in service should be declared surplus and sold to fund a redundant chiller the city plans to install.

Staff explained the two existing chillers were designed for higher usage and are oversized for the current load, which serves city hall, the fire station and the cultural center. The units have been mothballed and require little maintenance while idle, but their resale value is limited because they were custom‑designed for the plant and are uncommon in South Florida. Staff said a rough resale estimate is about $100,000 for the pair.

Selling one or both units would create space and funding to install a redundant chiller that staff said is needed to avoid single‑point failure. Staff estimated the purchase and installation of a redundant chiller will cost between $400,000 and $900,000; the project is included in the city’s capital improvement plan.

Commissioners asked whether the unused chillers could serve as the redundant unit; staff said both are oversized and would be inefficient and unsuitable for the plant’s present load. Staff said engineers and contractors have reviewed the proposal and that vendors would handle disconnection, removal and transport as part of the surplus sale.

Next steps: staff requested permission to surplus the two chillers and, if authorized, will proceed with surplus sale through approved vendors and use proceeds toward the redundant chiller purchase.