Commission approves emergency authority for Kingsport health-department cooling-tower repairs after freeze damage

The Sullivan County Commission on March 26 authorized waiver of rules to allow emergency repairs to a cooling tower at the Kingsport health department after freeze damage during an extreme‑cold event.

Commissioner Jones described two contractor estimates: about $103,000 for a full replacement and roughly $53,000 for temporary repairs to get the unit operational until a replacement could be obtained. “There is a generator there…but that generator…kept trying it finally kicked down,” Jones said in describing the circumstances that led to the freeze damage. The budget committee recommended up to $90,000 be budgeted to ensure interim operation while a replacement is sourced.

Hannah Taylor, identified as health‑department staff, told commissioners the unit is less than two years old and that the manufacturer denied warranty coverage for the freeze event. “The unit actually is less than 2 years old,” Taylor said; she reported the warranty company declined coverage because the damage was related to freezing and the unit’s operating status. Taylor said she has contacted the warranty provider and a maintenance contractor and plans to include a maintenance contract request in the next budget.

Commissioners discussed generator maintenance, possible fuel‑treatment measures to prevent gelling in cold weather and the value of a quarterly maintenance contract. Commissioner Jones asked that the item be handled on a waiver of rules so repairs could proceed; no formal roll‑call vote was recorded in the work session minutes provided.

Next steps noted by staff include pursuing the temporary repair to restore air conditioning and finalizing procurement for replacement if required.