County maintenance staff reported that as of Dec. 30 the county maintenance budget was already fully expended and that utility costs had pushed the department over budget, a presentation that prompted renewed discussion about energy purchasing and near-term budget priorities.

"Our electricity costs exceeded the budget by a 110% or ultimately $24,000 over what was budgeted," the maintenance presenter stated, and said fuel costs also ran about 21% over budget, totaling roughly $15,000. He told the board the overall maintenance budget stood at 100.9% expended as of his December accounting.

The presenter said the county is currently paying about 12.78 cents per kilowatt hour and that enrolling in a collective purchasing program — identified in discussion as the Energy Coalition — would have reduced the rate to about 8.75 cents per kilowatt hour and, on the county's estimated 2,000,000 kilowatt-hour annual use, yielded roughly $66,000 in first-year electricity savings. "They would have saved $66,000 a first year in electricity," he said.

Commissioners discussed drafting a memorandum to the delegation asking them to reconsider joining the Energy Coalition this year so residents and the county might realize savings; one commissioner asked staff to brief the incoming county administrator on the issue and to present the idea again during the upcoming budget process.

The maintenance presentation also reviewed staff and safety updates after a plow-truck accident this winter. The county purchased heated backup cameras specific to plow vehicles, installed rear-facing LED flood lighting and warning strobes on equipment, and provided training for operators. "We've since purchased new backup cameras for all three plow trucks...they're heated and they're lighted," the presenter said, adding staff will continue routine checks to keep lenses clear in icy conditions.

As part of routine fleet management, staff recommended sending a 2015 Ford Explorer with about 115,000 miles to state surplus. A commissioner moved to accept the recommendation and to authorize the county administrator to sign sale or title paperwork; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The presenter closed by noting one maintenance vacancy identified in an earlier update has since been filled, praising the new hire's performance, and saying the department will reassess priorities after the county budget is adopted in late May.

The meeting record shows no formal change to the budget at this session. The board agreed to monitor utility spending closely and to revisit the Energy Coalition question with the delegation as part of budget planning.