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Council approves energy-performance program with Navitas; two phases move forward with differing votes
Summary
The council approved a multiyear energy-performance program with Navitas, authorizing a set of state-eligible projects in phase 1A and a second phase of related projects. Phase 1A passed 6–2; phase 1B passed 5–3.
The Leawood City Council authorized a multi-project energy-performance program with Navitas LLC aimed at reducing municipal energy and maintenance costs and advancing LED and HVAC upgrades across city facilities.
City staff and Navitas presented a comprehensive package of projects, including interior and exterior LED retrofits, building controls, mechanical upgrades at the Justice Center and the Lodge, and rooftop solar options. The full scope proposed roughly $9.1 million in projects; staff said pre‑construction refinements and better equipment pricing reduced earlier estimates by roughly $350,000.
The council voted separately on two parts. Phase 1A—the projects the state’s Facility Conservation Improvement Program (FCIP) endorses—was approved 6–2 (Council members Larson and Castor opposed). City staff said the FCIP-backed projects had a 13.1‑year simple payback and that the city will issue bonds (not exceeding a 20‑year term) to finance work; utility and maintenance savings will be directed to the city’s debt-service fund to cover payments.
Phase 1B—items outside the state FCIP criteria but included for operational consistency, such as certain decorative street‑lighting replacements and other weatherization—also was approved, 5–3, after separate discussion. Navitas and staff said the firm will measure equipment performance and guarantee energy savings. Council members who opposed the full package said the scale and 20‑year projections made them uncomfortable; proponents said the work bundles deferred maintenance and deeper upgrades the city would otherwise need to address.
Why it matters: The program bundles planned and deferred capital work—HVAC, controls and lighting—and uses projected energy and maintenance savings to finance the upgrades. Council approved both parts after exchange on payback assumptions, contract guarantees and financing.
