Department: County Administration
Department Head/Elected Official: Diana Ramirez, County Administrator
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Policy
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWDBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWDBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of a Standard Operating Procedure for the Revolving Energy Efficiency Fund (REEF) and the transfer of one position from Universal Services to OCA for Utility Analysis.
end
Background and Discussion:
In December 2022, Commissioners Court established a Revolving Energy Efficiency Fund to serve as a continuous source of funding for the implementation of utility efficiency projects. Efficiency projects will reduce utility expenditures within Harris County’s facilities portfolio; measurement and verification (M&V) will ensure that projected energy savings are realized, accounted for, and reported to Commissioners Court annually. Court also created the position of Energy Manager to manage the REEF and to focus on Harris County’s climate goals related to reducing the County’s energy usage.
The SOP outlines how energy saving projects will be tracked by energy management staff and how funds will flow between the REEF, the utility fund, and the general fund. To further streamline energy management functions along with utility analysis, OCA requests authorization to work with the Auditor’s Office, Office of Management & Budget, Human Resources & Risk Management, Universal Services and any other relevant departments in connection to transition the utility analysis function in such a way as to ensure other US functions are minimally impacted, as well as the management of Department 298, potentially including employee, equipment, parking, position funding and any technical and administrative logistics with final completion of the transition to be completed no later than September 30, 2024.
Expected Impact:
In FY 2024, Energy efficiency projects are projected to save the County nearly $1.3 million. We expect that number to grow in future years. The REEF SOP outlines a process to measure, record, and verify utility savings from energy efficiency projects and, during the regular budget process, recommend any savings transfers to the general fund, an updated REEF budget, and additional energy efficiency projects for the following year. This SOP will help the County achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals as well as reduce costs.
Alternative Options:
Energy management could continue without a revolving fund but it will be challenging to provide additional reporting and transparency with existing resources.
Alignment with Goal(s):
_ Justice and Safety
_ Economic Opportunity
_ Housing
_ Public Health
_ Transportation
_ Flooding
X Environment
X Governance and Customer Service
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
12/13/2022 |
22 |
Approved creation of Energy Efficiency Fund |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
|
Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
|
Service Name |
|
|
|
|
Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
|
|
Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
Existing Budget |
|
|
|
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Current Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
|
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Total Funding Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
|
|
Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 7/15/2024
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Final completion of the transition to be completed no later than September 30, 2024
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Jesse Dickerman, Managing Director, Office of County Administration
Attachments (if applicable): REEF Standard Operating Procedure