County entertains energy audit

In another of numerous energy-related presentations this year, the Highland County Board of Commissioners welcomed Russ Ely to the Wednesday, Sept. 26 board meeting.

Ely, of Palmer Conservation Consulting, said he was working through the County Commissioners Association of Ohio and offering energy conservation audits on up to four county-owned buildings.

Ely said the CCAO initiative would provide an energy assessment and offer assistance on ways to conserve in the future, thereby reducing the county's overall utility costs.

"The assessments are paid by the CCAO," Ely said. "There's no obligation and no fees. The primary focus is energy conservation; HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), lights, building windows, access control."

"After the assessment, at that point, you would be a consultant to the county?" Commission President Shane Wilkin asked.

"Yes," Ely said. "Our services would be paid by the county after the assessment. You have opportunities for rebates in the county courthouse."

"We realize that," Wilkin said. "We're in a better financial shape than we were three years ago, but I wouldn't say we were in great shape. Our concern is having the money for the renovations. I know – or I've been told – a lot of the incentive programs are going away.

"We just don't have much cushion," Wilkin said. "We're told we should have 10 percent of the budget in reserve. We don't have that. Our sales tax (revenue) has been good, but we're still $1.8 million down from where we were a few years ago."

"The approach we recommend is to peel off what you can," Ely said. "Do the smart thing – get a section done, and take advantage of the rebates while you can. The T-12 bulbs are no longer made. You've got some obsolescence issues."

Wilkin asked Commissioners Tom Horst and Jeremy Shaffer their thoughts on having Ely inspect the Veterans Service Commission offices on North High Street in the county annex.

"I'd be willing to have him look at the annex building," Horst said.

"How about letting him do a walk-through of all county buildings?" Shaffer asked. "The CCAO picks up the tab."

Commissioners agreed to have Ely start the process at the VSC offices in the annex.

"I'll call Ray Alexander (VSC board chair) and get you in touch with him," Wilkin told Ely.

"It's frustrating that when they have rebates, if you had money, you could save more money," Wilkin said.

"I think this is the best energy guy we've talked to so far," Shaffer said.

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• In other action, commissioners said the state has approved the liquor license request from Rainsboro Tire LLC.

Commissioners also voted, 2-0, with Wilkin abstaining, not to request a hearing on a change in the Terry's Grocery liquor license to an LLC.

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• Shaffer updated commissioners on the recent merger of Highland and Clinton counties' Help Me Grow program.

"Highland and Clinton counties are merging Help Me Grow home visits and cases as recommended by the state," Shaffer said. "Highland County is picking up 11 current cases and 10 pending cases, and will probably hire an additional person for Clinton County.

"Help Me Grow would like to start by Oct. 1, but is still waiting on the state Department of Health to OK it. I think we're the first in the state to do this."

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• Shaffer also updated commissioners on the Clinton County Community Health Care Assessment prepared by the OSU Extension.

"The No. 1 concern was illegal drug use, followed by obesity," Shaffer said. "There was talk about what we can do – other than through law enforcement – but we need a communitywide push, but there's no framework in place."

"Could this be something Victim Witness could do?" Horst asked.

"I don't think so," Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins said. "It's not what they do at all."

"Let's talk to Sheriff (Ron) Ward and the local police chiefs and get their input," Wilkin suggested.

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• Commissioners also discussed the need for a storage facility for county records, possibly to be constructed at the Highland County Justice Center complex.

"We've discussed putting a building at the Justice Center if we can find the money," Horst said.

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• Lastly, Shaffer said he planned to talk to the Hillsboro Fire Department about a life squad vehicle to see "if they are using it, or if another department can use it."

"As long as they are covering townships, it has to be available," Horst said.

"From what I've heard, they've stripped everything from that squad to use for other vehicles," Shaffer said.

Hillsboro City Auditor Gary Lewis suggested Shaffer meet with the city safety and service director.

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Prior to the start of the meeting, the county commission staff wished Commissioner Tom Horst a happy (belated) birthday.

The meeting adjourned at 9:31 a.m.