County staff warn Clean Buildings reporting will be complex; Hall of Justice already compliant

Savannah Clement, public works, told the board that the state's Clean Buildings Performance Standards pose a complex reporting burden for local governments and businesses and that many jurisdictions are hiring consultants to help comply.

"It's very complex, the reporting reporting requirements, and I found that in speaking with PFD, and others that they are all kind of contracting that out because it's cumbersome," Clement said, describing multiple disconnected modules—Energy Star accounts, PUD account connections and Department of Commerce portals—that must be linked.

Clement said the county has met the requirement for the Hall of Justice through the Millig project, which built in the needed energy‑use reporting. She also said the first large milestone target for Tier 1 buildings is due "this time next year," and she cited July 1, 2027 as the next deadline for the county's compliance calendar.

To prepare, staff have contacted the public utility district to allow access needed for account linking and secured a grant for an investment‑grade audit of the current building to pay for the deeper energy analysis. Clement told commissioners that, because the modules are not connected, many entities are finding it efficient to contract services to compile the required data and produce an acceptable plan showing current energy use and steps to meet state targets.

Staff said they will continue to work with utility partners and seek board direction on any procurement or consultant engagement needed to meet the state's timelines.