County updates: community services building near completion; geothermal loop readings prompt caution

County Development Director Eric Furnas told the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors on June 8 that the community services building is essentially finished except for a fabricated metal railing, and that sidewalk and parking work have been completed.

Furnas also gave a detailed update on the Deep Lakes maintenance facility: utilities and septic are in place, the pump and controller are pending installation, concrete cutting for floor drains has been done, and contractors performed crack sealing with epoxy injection on a 10-foot wall. "They actually put these little ports in, epoxy over it, and they inject a very thin epoxy in it ... we're really optimistic that that's going to waterproof that section," Furnas said.

Furnas highlighted a performance concern with a county geothermal heating/cooling loop. He said the county budgeted for a geothermal field enhancement project but that recent warm, humid weather produced loop numbers "a little concerning" and that staff may need to shut down some areas during extremely hot, humid days to protect the system. Furnas said he has requested a services contract to finish design and letting for the enhancement project.

No board action was taken on the geothermal item during the meeting; it was reported as an operational update and a matter staff will continue to monitor. The transcript does not specify a schedule for the enhancement project or the value of any pending services contract.