By Christi Laney
Going green provides many American families and businesses with extra cash from lower electric and gas bills, and soon, Walker County hopes to get in on the saving spree.
With energy efficient improvements, upgrades and additions, paid for with federal grant funding, county taxpayers could stand to see more stretch for their dollar once the projects are completed.
During a regular session on Monday, the Walker County Commissioners Court made another step in the process for receiving the funds for these energy efficient projects by accepting a resolution stating their intent to pursue an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG).
The grant, which was created through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, awards money to counties seeking to increase their energy efficiency through new projects, including installing new equipment or updating existing equipment.
According to Andrew Isbell of the Walker County Department of Planning and Development, the grant does not stipulate exactly what the counties must do with the money, so long as it satisfies the energy efficiency requirement.
“The guidelines are fairly general,” Isbell said. “The main thing is that it has to be energy conservation.
“It could be anything from retrofitting existing equipment, to installing something new. It’s pretty wide open, as long as you can justify that it is going to lower your energy costs. As far as defining particularly what you have to do with the money, they don’t.”
In the resolution passed by the court, the county presents its desire to pursue energy efficiency and states its interest in “developing a EECBG project, which is sustainable and has measurable energy savings, job creation and economic stimulus effects into the county…”
The resolution also includes a commitment from the county to move toward “energy efficiency for the citizens of Walker and all of Texas.”
As a part of the formal application process, Isbell said a project list must be submitted as well, including specific projects the county will the money toward if they are awarded the grant.
“Project identification needs to happen soon,” Isbell said. “My suggestion would be that either the court has a workshop, maybe next court session, or maybe some sort of advisory committee put together to identify some projects and bring (them) back to court. I think that wherever you guys can save the county taxpayers money, you obviously do.”
In other action on Monday, the court also approved the bid process for an educational pavilion to be constructed next to the HEARTS Veterans Museum, using state grant money.
According to Walker County purchasing agent Linda McKenzie, the cost of the 3,000 square feet structure is estimated at $140,000 with 1,000 square feet of enclosed storage space and 2,000 square feet of open area to be used for educational purposes.
Also during Monday’s session, the court:
• Approved minutes for Nov. 9, 2009.
• Approved monthly report for October 2009 tax collections.
• Approved claims/invoices submitted for payment in the amount of $111,602.57.
• Approved bill paying in the amount of $1,447,526.92.
• Approved invoice from TAO Limited for additional architectural services required to produce drawings needed for various change orders for Bid # C2360-9-003 – Complete Construction of the Walker County HEARTS Veterans Museum of Texas in the amount of $60,982.
• Approved tree removal and disposal under LGC §262.024 Discretionary Exemptions (a) A contract for the purchase of any of the following items is exempt from the requirement established by Section 262.023 if the Commissioners
Court by order grants the exemption: (2) an item necessary to preserve or protect the public health or safety of the residents of the county.
• Approved specifications and solicitation for Bid #C2360-10-002 for Tree Removal and Disposal.
• Approved Right of Way Easement for Davidson Road from the Daugherty Trust (Cheryl Rosilier).
• Approved variance for 2.82 acre tract out of 51.23 acre tract for Raymond Slott (Artie Slott).
• Approved minor plat for 2.82 acre tract out of 51.23 acre tract for Raymond Slott (Artie Slott).
• Approved accepting the Walker County VFD quarterly reports.
• Approved ROW Easement on Dickey Loop road owner Val M. Maxey.
