Schneider Electric pitches no-cost energy audit to Dimmit County commissioners

Adong Garcia, a representative of Schneider Electric, told the Dimmit County Commissioners Court that his firm can perform a no‑cost, no‑obligation preliminary energy audit and develop performance‑contracting projects that would pay for building upgrades from guaranteed utility savings.

Garcia said the company evaluates electricity, water and gas use across county facilities and presents improvements that can be funded over 15–20 years by monetizing projected savings. "No cost, no obligation to allow us to come in," Garcia told the court, and he described typical findings of roughly "30% off of your utility cost" in candidates the company has served.

The presentation cited prior Texas projects (Travis County, Webb County) and described steps: a preliminary audit, a 2–3 month detailed assessment, design milestones at 30/60/90 percent and a contract that can include a performance guarantee. "If you don't see the 30% savings, we're on the hook for the shortfall," Garcia said, describing the company’s risk‑sharing model.

Commissioners asked practical questions about which buildings are likely to show savings (older facilities more likely than recently constructed buildings), how project costs are determined, and whether a county‑chosen third‑party engineer will review the design and savings calculations. Garcia confirmed a third‑party review is part of the process at 90 percent design and said staff would coordinate data requests (utility bills) and facility visits during the audit phase.

The court did not take immediate procurement action; commissioners asked staff to provide more information and decide whether to accept a letter of interest so Schneider Electric can begin the preliminary audit. No contract was approved at the meeting.