Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sustainability topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District previews $13.5 million Phase 1 sustainability plan with rooftop solar and a geothermal pilot
Summary
Administration told the board Phase 1 would include rooftop solar on five schools, a geothermal retrofit at Sauk Trail, and a district-wide energy-efficiency program, with an estimated cost near $13.5 million and a funding plan that will likely include borrowing plus federal rebates.
The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District on Dec. 16 received a Phase 1 update on a multi-year sustainability roadmap that would add rooftop solar, pilot geothermal at one school and pursue district-wide energy-efficiency improvements.
Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations Jared Rosing, who presented the update, said the district engaged McKinstry to develop the roadmap and that Phase 1 currently includes rooftop solar on five schools, a retrofit at Sauk Trail to install geothermal wells, and a comprehensive energy-audit and building-envelope work across the district. Rosing said the estimated cost for Phase 1 is about $13.5 million and that figure is being refined.
Rosing told the board the district will pursue available federal incentives and rebates, citing roughly $2.8 million in potential direct-pay incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act that would be paid back to the district after systems go online, plus other rebate sources. He said a final Phase 1 plan and funding package will be returned to the board in January and that any borrowing to fund the project would require a board resolution and open a 30-day petition period allowing residents to seek a referendum.
Rosing said McKinstry will guarantee energy-savings projected in the proposal and the district and its bond counsel are developing a financing structure that aligns borrowing with those guaranteed savings. Board members asked about prioritization if the board chooses a smaller borrowing amount, use of one-time revenue streams such as a TIF closeout, and the timing of equipment replacement. Board member Bob Green suggested the district consider retirement of a tax incremental financing district as a possible one-time funding source.
Ending: Administration will return in January with a refined Phase 1 scope, updated cost estimates, a financing plan and analysis of prioritization if the full package is not approved.
