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Commission approves letter of intent for guaranteed energy-savings audit
Summary
Commissioners approved a letter of intent allowing ABM (Building Solutions) to conduct an investment-grade energy audit of county facilities to identify efficiency upgrades and potential savings guaranteed under a performance contract; the audit carries an estimated fee of $20,000–$30,000 if the county chooses not to proceed with renovations.
Habersham County commissioners on Jan. 27 approved a letter of intent allowing ABM (referred to as ABM Building Solutions in the record) to perform an investment-grade audit under a guaranteed energy-savings performance contract program.
Staff said the county issued a request for qualifications in April 2024 and that ABM emerged as the top-scoring proposer after interviews. The investment-grade audit will inventory county-owned buildings, identify energy and operational savings opportunities (lighting, HVAC, controls, plumbing and other systems) and produce a package of recommended projects and financing options.
Presenters said the audit effort typically costs the county in the range of $20,000–$30,000 if the county elects not to implement the recommended renovations; if the county chooses to finance renovations through a guaranteed energy-savings contract, the presenters said the audit fee can be covered and the project financed through savings with no up-front county cost for the capital work.
An ABM representative described the process as a multi-month, building-by-building review that compiles serial-numbered inventories and a capital-velocity analysis to help the county prioritize facility investments. He said ABM guarantees projected savings and will cover shortfalls if guaranteed targets are missed.
Commissioners asked whether the audit is a package or can be done building-by-building; ABM said the audit can produce a cafeteria-style list of measures by facility so the board can choose which projects to pursue. Commissioners asked for cost caps and were told staff would present a not-to-exceed figure for the audit scope before final contracting; presenters estimated the audit fee around $20,000–$30,000.
The commission approved the letter of intent by recorded voice and roll-call statements in the meeting; staff said a contract and scope will return for board review including any 'not to exceed' amount for the audit if the board prefers to review before execution.
County staff and the ABM team emphasized the audit’s potential to produce multi-year savings and to support grant or lease-finance options for facility upgrades; the process, they said, transfers performance risk to the contractor through guaranteed savings provisions if the county later enters a performance contract based on the audit.
