Commission agrees to cover $11,117 toward museum HVAC replacement

The Van Buren County Commission on March 23 voted to provide $11,117 to the Van Buren County Historical & Heritage Museum to replace aging heating and cooling units in the Old Courthouse.

Museum representatives said the museum received a $25,000 grant and used $4,117 for brick repairs, leaving about $20,883. The museum requested that the county contribute $11,117 so the committee could install new HVAC units; otherwise the museum said it would use the remaining grant funds for lighting instead. After discussion, Commissioner Tabitha Denney moved and Michael Chandler seconded a motion to transfer $11,117 from 101‑39000 to 101‑51100‑309 MUS to fund the replacement. The motion passed on a roll-call vote.

Meeting minutes state the existing units upstairs and downstairs at the courthouse are about 30 years old and that only one contractor responded to advertised requests for bids. The motion directs county funds to be used toward HVAC replacement; the minutes do not specify a vendor or a contract execution date.

Next steps recorded in the minutes indicate facilities or the County Mayor’s Office will proceed with procurement and provide cost reporting to the commission.