County approves $334,929 LED lighting upgrade at 200 West Front Street

The McLean County Property Committee approved a proposal from Wilcox Electric to replace lighting fixtures at 200 West Front Street, including work identified as a priority in the jail booking area. The committee approved the proposal by voice vote after a motion by Member Tompkins and a second from Vice Chair Lehman.

The work covers the county building at 200 West Front Street and lighting in the jail booking area; Facilities staff said the booking cells are on full, continuous lighting that can disrupt sleep. “After incentives, we're looking at the $334,929 and this is expected to pay for itself in 30 months,” Scott Fogler said, describing the project cost and expected payback timeline. Fogler said the project will include a building automation system to zone lighting, adjust color and dimming, and use sensors so lights do not rely on manual switching. “It will be all programmed. Can be overridden 4 times that it's needed but, it'll be a very, up to date system that's run from an app,” Fogler said.

Joseph Gaither, director of facilities management, introduced Fogler and noted the lighting work is intended to be the first phase of a broader county effort to update fixtures across multiple buildings. Committee members voted in favor by voice; the minutes record the motion and that the measure passed but do not include a member-by-member roll-call tally.

The project is financed after utility incentives; staff described reduced ongoing utility payments as the basis for the projected 30-month payback. The committee did not set further conditions and directed staff to proceed with the approved proposal.

This lighting upgrade will be followed by additional planned building updates, the facilities director said.