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Casa Grande district reports energy upgrades, estimates six‑figure guaranteed annual savings
Summary
District facilities and finance staff told the board the energy performance contract replaced lighting, reduced turf, added exterior controls and installed EV bus chargers; staff said rebates totaled about $153,870 and guaranteed annual savings are estimated at $341,178 in year one, rising to $657,954 by year 18.
The Casa Grande Elementary School District on Monday detailed completion of a districtwide energy performance contract that officials say will reduce utility and maintenance costs while improving campus facilities.
Facilities director Tim Mace told the governing board the project replaced interior and exterior lighting across schools, added controls to turn lights off automatically, reduced irrigated turf in selected locations and installed electric‑bus charging infrastructure in anticipation of future electric buses. Mace said the upgrades were intended both to improve learning environments and to produce measurable savings.
Mr. McCain, who presented the financial overview, said the district received $91,870 in rebates from APS and identified an additional roughly $62,000 of previously unprocessed rebates tied to HVAC controls projects. “Beginning year 1 … we’re guaranteed to save $341,178,” McCain said. He added, “By year 18 that guaranteed savings each year will be $657,954.”
The presentation said turf reductions and artificial turf installations were used at high‑use sites to cut ongoing water and maintenance costs; the presenters said some installed turf is expected to last 10–15 years depending on use. The district is also pursuing state facilities grants for specific repairs: Mace noted an SFB grant is funding replacement of an auditorium stage floor.
During questions trustees pressed staff on measurement and verification. Facilities staff said Arizona statute requires measurement verification provisions in a performance contract so guaranteed savings are tracked and shortfalls can trigger contractual paybacks. Staff acknowledged they have not yet compiled a full 12 months of post‑installation data to produce final realized savings but said water savings are already apparent and that measurement verification will be used to confirm annual performance.
Board members asked how the district will report actual savings; staff committed to returning with more specific energy and water‑use totals after a longer monitoring period.
The board did not take an action on the project itself during the meeting; the item was informational and staff answered questions about rebates, life expectancy of artificial turf and controls for exterior lighting.
