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Ross Local board hears $1.7 million Phase 2 energy project presentation; special meeting set to vote
Summary
Vista Consulting presented a proposed $1.7 million Phase 2 energy-performance project for Ross Local schools that would pay for itself through guaranteed energy savings; the board will hold a special meeting next week to vote because not enough members were present tonight to authorize the contract.
Vista Consulting presented a proposed Phase 2 energy-performance project to the Ross Local School Board on Tuesday evening that consultants said would upgrade stadium lighting and video display, replace aging HVAC drives and building controllers, and fund other efficiency measures at district buildings at a total project cost of $1.7 million.
Pat of Vista Consulting told the board the package builds on a prior retrofit and is designed so the projected energy savings will cover loan payments. "The savings that we create by the energy conservation measures we take will pay for this program over the period of time," Pat said during the presentation. Pat described scope items including LED upgrades for the high school field and a new LED video scoreboard, replacement of failed variable-frequency drives on air handlers, and replacement of legacy building controllers with a modern BACnet-style control platform to improve maintenance and comfort.
Steve, who presented the districts financial context, said Phase 1 delivered measurable savings and that the district has options for low-cost financing. Board materials and the presentation cited a combined-funding approach: a $1.0 million low-interest loan at 0.25% and a second loan (described by presenters at roughly 2%), with consultants estimating a payback period in the low double digits (presenters referenced a 1014-year range and cited a figure of about 13.6 years in discussion). Pat said Vista includes a project contingency for unforeseen items and that any unspent contingency would return to the district.
Board members asked about specific equipment lifecycles and the state of existing systems; presenters said many components were at or near end of life and that replacement parts were becoming difficult to source. The presentation included sample visuals of the proposed LED fixtures, the new scoreboard display, and diagrams of the proposed controls upgrades.
Because two board members were absent, the board could not take final action under the applicable state procurement rules cited in the meeting. A board member explained that when the district uses a consultant-assisted procurement that does not open the work to a traditional public bid process, state law requires a minimum number of board members to authorize the action. The district announced it will call a special board meeting next Monday, when at least four members are expected to be present, to consider formal authorization and financing agreements.
If approved, presenters said construction would follow once financing is in place and contracts are executed. The district and consultants emphasized the guarantee model used on earlier projects, noting the district has met prior savings guarantees.
