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Committee hears sustainability staff update: grants, toilet rebates, greenhouse-gas inventory and outreach plans
Summary
Staff updated the committee on multiple sustainability programs — including a completed greenhouse-gas inventory, the toilet‑rebate pilot (24 approved applications/29 toilets installed, about $7,000 remaining), a $76,000 DOE block grant eligibility, and upcoming solar/EV outreach — and discussed a proposed sustainability intern position.
Staff provided a comprehensive update on Farmers Branch sustainability programs, grant prospects and community outreach.
Key program numbers: the toilet-rebate pilot has approved 24 applications and assisted with 29 toilet installations; staff said there is about $7,000 remaining in the current fiscal-year rebate budget. Staff explained unused rebate funds do not automatically carry forward; the program year ends Sept. 30 and the FY24 preliminary budget request includes $10,000 to restore the rebate pool.
Grants and inventories: staff reported the greenhouse-gas inventory is complete at both the municipal-operations and community-wide levels and will be presented in more detail at the June meeting. Staff also said the city submitted a letter of intent for a Department of Energy Block Grant (from Inflation Reduction Act funding), and that Farmers Branch is eligible for about $76,000; staff has not yet selected a specific project for the funds.
Other programs and outreach: staff summarized the Solar Switch program and a recent Power Switch auction (last sign-up April 25), with a Solar Switch auction scheduled for May 31 and sign‑ups accepted through Aug. 9. The Active Transportation Plan consultant was selected and a contract is expected to be approved by City Council on June 6. Staff discussed marketing plans for program outreach, including reaching plumbing companies to accelerate toilet-rebate use, and proposed adding a sustainability intern (undergraduate or graduate) in the next budget to support data work, communications and project implementation.
Committee members also reported on external events (comprehensive-plan workshops, Earth Day, and dark-sky presentations) and asked staff to follow up on code compliance questions related to native-planting and 'rewilding' private property.
Why it matters: the update shows the committee and staff balancing program pilots, grant-seeking, community outreach and code-related inquiries as part of the city’s sustainability strategy.
Representative quote: staff said, regarding the DOE grant, that "Farmers Branch is eligible for about $76,000 from that program" and that that money would likely support energy-efficiency or renewable-energy equipment rebates.
Ending: staff will present greenhouse-gas inventory results at the June meeting, pursue the DOE Block Grant project selection, and return with updates after the City Council study sessions and budget decisions.
