Civil Municipal Magazine - Nov 2023

15 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 11 The importance of the project and the compressed construction schedule demanded the involvement of an executive level decision- maker, and Deputy City Manager Larry Rains stepped in to guide the design, development, and implementation of the project by overseeing construction details that would normally be reserved for a project foreman or on-site developer. Without Rains’ direct involvement and supervision, the CGPI could have faced delays that would have had catastrophic effects on the city’s relationship with the UFL and threatened the success of the project. Merced County, California To reduce capital its budget costs, in 2001, Merced County, California (pop. 266,353) partnered with Siemens Industry, Inc., on a county-wide lighting and major mechanical energy performance project. Through the improvements, the county achieved 120 percent of its guaranteed energy savings. Following the success of this initial partnership, in 2007, the county partnered with Siemens for a second energy performance project, which included a significant solar component. Economic conditions postponed the solar project until 2010, when county officials decided to use funds that had been reserved for capital projects to build a solar array at their Sandy Mush correctional facility. Merced County selected Siemens as the primary contractor to implement the solar energy project. County officials “hit the switch” and the system began delivering power to the facility in December 2011. Siemens estimated that the solar array system helped save Merced County approximately $312,000 in energy expenses in the first year, with total estimated savings of $14 million over the next 25 years. Through this solar energy project, Merced County will become eligible for up to $1.5 million in utility rebates. Southern Idaho Economic Development Organization One outstanding example of how smaller, professionally managed communities can join forces with other small jurisdictions and the OPENING LINES