Efforts to upgrade the county health department’s facilities continued on Monday when the Carter County Commission approved a $17,000 bid for a rooftop HVAC unit.

The county had received three quotes for the 6-ton unit with varying prices and warranties. The commission briefly discussed the options with a Carter County Health Department official before unanimously agreeing to the lowest bid from Colossal Heat and Air for $17,000. During their discussion, commissioners learned more details about the current state of the aging HVAC systems.

“This is just kind of a continuation of trying to replace all of our old units. Most of them up there are 13 to 18 years old and they’re getting to the point where heat exchanger and stuff is rotting out in them,” said Cyndi Brooks with the Carter County Health Department

The health department has been undergoing several rounds of upgrades in recent months, including recent bids to replace lighting.

The commission on Monday also approved a title sheet for a road a bridge project near Ratliff City. Commissioner Owen Longest said Monday’s vote was preliminary approval for work on Longview Road over Flag Branch Creek. The proposed project would see construction of just over one-half mile of Longview Road south of Ranch Road along with a roughly 30-foot bridge over the creek. The proposal approved by county commissioners on Monday will still need to be approved by state and federal transportation departments.

“The bridge right now is at an angle across the creek, very unsafe, and it’s been like that forever,” Longest said.

Work is not expected to begin until at least next year.

In other business, the Carter County Commission on Monday:

• declared a dozer and winch truck from District 1 as surplus;
• approved payroll affidavit;
• approved county officers’ reports;
• approved requisitions and purchase orders.