City staff seeks ECC feedback on an "energy navigator" service; launch deferred to next fiscal year

City staff presented a proposed Energy Navigator program to the Environment and Climate Committee (ECC) and asked for committee feedback on scope and design. The program is intended to help Bend residents understand and navigate incentives, technical assistance and contractors for energy efficiency and electrification work.

Staff described a three-part approach: (1) subsidized free home energy audits offered on a come‑served basis to all Bend residents; (2) quarterly community workshops with partner panels and follow‑up office hours; and (3) a resource hub on the city website plus quarterly partner convenings to coordinate local service providers. Megan, a city staff member, said the city would issue an RFP to select audit providers and may weigh proposals that combine audits with follow‑through technical assistance more favorably.

Why staff delayed launch: the council asked departments to prioritize across many council goals. Cassie said the Energy Navigator remains a priority but staff will target launch in the next fiscal year so the department can focus this summer on electrification policy work and the new grant program. Cassie told the committee the delay will also allow staff to fold any future electrification incentives into the navigator design.

Partners and gaps: staff reported multiple existing navigator‑like programs in Bend that serve particular populations: NeighborImpact and the Environmental Center deliver free or subsidized services for low‑income and other underserved households; Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) offers an energy audit program for its customers; and Electrified Oregon is training volunteer energy coaches. Staff said the main community gap is navigational help for households who do not qualify for those targeted, free programs — notably middle‑income homeowners who nonetheless face information and process barriers.

Program scale and funding: staff said current funding for a starter version of the navigator is modest (roughly $30,000–$40,000 per year in the current budget outlook). That funding would cover workshops, some partner convenings and a limited number of subsidized audits; it does not support hiring a full‑time navigator staff person. Staff recommended issuing an RFP so the city can compare proposals (for example, a smaller number of comprehensive audits vs. a larger number of simplified assessments/home energy scores) and weigh cost per audit and proposed additional services when selecting a vendor.

Equity and scope considerations: committee members urged staff to ensure audits are scoped broadly (efficiency and fuel‑switching options) and to confirm which community programs allow fuel‑switching recommendations. Staff said they would check partners’ program rules and return with clarifications. Committee members also suggested bilingual outreach, tenant/renter considerations and reporting on audit conversion rates (which recommended actions from an audit are implemented).

Next steps: staff said they will not try to finalize the navigator this summer but will retain the scope and partner research and return to the ECC in roughly nine months as the city prepares a launch for the following fiscal year. Staff will also continue to coordinate this work with electrification fee and incentive discussions so the navigator can link to any future incentive programs.

Ending: staff invited committee members to continue submitting ideas and flagged that additional details (RFP language, budgeted audit count, and procurement approach) will be worked out before the program returns to ECC.