Centre County Looks to Save Through Energy Conservation

BELLEFONTE — Centre County is always looking for ways to save money, and the local planning office may have found another way to keep a few extra dollars in local coffers.

County controller Chuck Witmer and Centre County planning director Bob Jacobs visited the Centre County Board of Commissioners on April 25 to open a request for qualification proposals for energy conservation services at the seven county-owned facilities.

According to Jacobs, the planning office realized some cost-saving measures concerning energy efficiency could be instituted at county facilities and felt seeking firms specializing in this type of work would be in the strategic best interest of the county.

As a result of this company-specific targeting effort, two proposals were received. The McClure Co., of Harrisburg, and Noresco, of Pittsburgh, each submitted large boxes containing eight binders of qualifications, as well as three compact discs containing required electronic data.

Jacobs said a review committee will now scrutinize both proposals before making a recommendation to the board of commissioners. The item was tabled by the board until Tuesday, May 16, to allow time for a thorough review.

Commissioner Mark Higgins told the board he talked with several other counties that opted to enact energy saving measures at their facilities, and he said some reported savings ‘between $60,000 and $100,000’ each year.

In other business, the commissioners:
■ Approved a contract renewal with Eli Stolzfus for the lease of the Penns Valley Senior Resource Center in Madisonburg. The contract is $1,054 per month for a total of $12,648.

■ Approved a grant agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging in the amount of $39,450 for remodeling the Snow Shoe Senior Resource Center.

■ Approved a contract between Comfort Keepers and the Centre County Office of Aging to teach and facilitate the evidence based program ‘EnhanceWellness’ at the Centre Region Adult Center. The cost of the contract is $8,200, which is state funded.

■ Approved a letter of agreement between the county and Cindi Brown to provide intellectual disability and home services, including utilization of a certified deaf interpreter. The source of funding is $1,430 from the state and $70 from the county.

■ Approved the purchase of a 2017 Ford Interceptor all-wheel-drive sedan equipped with a barrier cage for the Probation Department to replace a vehicle that has met its useful life. The total cost of the vehicle is $25,800.

■ Heard from George Arnold, executive director of the State College Downtown Improvement District. Arnold discussed Happy Valley Music Fest, which is scheduled for Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3, in downtown State College.

Arnold said the Spin Doctors will highlight Friday evening’s show and Charles Bradley will be featured on the second night. Several bands are scheduled for the event and two beer gardens will be open. Arnold said tickets are available online, and those purchasing tickets by Sunday, April 30, can receive a two-day pass for just $20. Single-day passes are also available.

For more information, or to order tickets, visit www.happyvalleymusicfest.com.