Board approves Duke Energy audit recommendations to upgrade lighting at five city facilities

Staff presented results of a Duke Energy audit and a contractor (Wilden) assessment recommending targeted lighting and controls upgrades across five city facilities: city hall, the police department (including basement), the wellness center, the senior center and a central hallway area. The report included itemized measures and projected five-year savings.

Examples cited in the presentation: the police-department measures were estimated to yield roughly $17,000 in five-year energy savings; the total five-year savings across the five areas was presented as about $48,000. Staff explained that Duke Energy would provide incentives covering about 61% of the project cost; the city’s share would therefore be roughly 39% of the fully scoped project. Staff also said an additional 11% discount would apply if the city paid the project cost up front.

Board members supported moving forward with the Duke Energy program. A motion to approve pursuing the Duke Energy efficiency plan for city hall, police department, the wellness center, the senior center and the center hallway passed by voice vote. Staff will return with contract documents, formal costs and a recommended payment option for board approval before work begins.