Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the O&m Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
ECCL committee approves 2026–27 O&M budget; solar offset expected to cut energy costs
Summary
The ECCL governance committee approved the 2026–27 operations and maintenance budget, with staff projecting a preliminary $1.7 million plan and a $15,000 electricity budget after a solar offset; members asked staff to return with verified solar true‑up numbers in December.
The ECCL governance committee voted to approve the operations and maintenance budget for the 2026–27 year after staff explained projected savings from a newly operating solar array and the formula used to apportion costs between the city and the school district.
Doris, presenting the budget, said the current-year (2025–26) operating budget is projected to close at $2.0 million and that the preliminary 2026–27 O&M budget is currently planned at about $1.7 million. She described key line items including custodian salaries, contracted services and utilities.
The presentation focused on how the solar array — which began producing in late December 2025 and experienced some on/off periods — will change the parties’ obligations under the Joint Operating Agreement. "This year the solar system will produce 94,000 kWh," Doris said, describing staff calculations that led to a preliminary electricity budget of roughly $15,000 for the coming year after applying the contract's offset formula and an inflation adjustment.
The Assistant City Manager cautioned that initial production figures cover only part of a year and that the contract true‑up does not occur until December: "the true up doesn't happen till December," he said, adding staff will return with final numbers after the true‑up. Staff said they used prior usage estimates (~786,000 kWh annual energy need) and several third‑party production models to generate the preliminary forecast.
Committee members pressed staff on the assumptions. Member Mora asked whether December is a low‑production month and whether staff had relied on outside consultants; staff said they used multiple third‑party estimates and internal monitoring and will provide updated production and cost figures after a full year of system operation and the contract true‑up.
The committee approved the O&M budget and related items by roll call. Members voting in favor included Co‑chair Carr, Member Mora, Member Solomon, Member Welch, Co‑chair Collins, Member Van Gffin, Member Donaldson and Member Lee; the motion carried unanimously.
Staff said the budget figures will be updated as the solar system is monitored through the next true‑up and that adjustments will be reflected in subsequent reports to the committee.
Next steps: staff will monitor solar production, complete the December true‑up, and return to the committee with verified energy and cost figures and any recommended budget adjustments.
