Facilities manager invites Johnson Controls to brief commissioners on energy audit after $100,000 fee concern

Kelly Frazier, the county’s facilities manager, reported that Johnson Controls has proposed a tier‑two energy audit of Mason County facilities and is willing to brief the commission about its proposal and historical performance.

Frazier said the county previously engaged Johnson Controls and that the firm had helped capture energy savings, but she warned that contract language this time indicated the evaluation could cost up to $100,000 unless the county entered into a follow‑on services contract. She said staff would ask Johnson Controls to present past performance data and a clearer explanation of costs and that an RFQ would be required if the county sought competing proposals.

Commissioners expressed reluctance about paying a large evaluation fee up front if the county would still be required to go to bid and possibly be outcompeted; one commissioner said paying $100,000 for a proposal that would then be subject to an RFQ “doesn’t make a lot of sense.” Commissioners asked staff to invite Johnson Controls to present their approach and evidence that the evaluation yields cost‑effective results.