Page 3 - County Bulletin (February 2020)_Layout 1

Madison County reduces
energy costs

“Our energy bill is down, which is a good thing,”
County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler said. “We try
not to forget this is the taxpayers’ money and we need
to be careful with it.”

Madison County saved more than $47,000 on energy costs this past year after
switching electric providers. Facilities Director Rob Schmidt said the county
switched electric providers in April 2019 and gained a net savings of $15,266 after
paying a $32,520 termination fee with its previous provider. The actual cost for Macon County institutes
electric usage was $47,786 from June to November. No-Refusal program on
“We estimate the overall annual savings for usage will be around $100,000,”
Schmidt said. DUI arrests
Schmidt said the county would continue to see more savings
because the county replaced 12,608 lightbulbs with LED
Macon County Sheriff Tony Brown,
bulbs through Ameren Illinois’ Energy Efficiency Decatur Police Chief Jim Getz, and Macon
Program at 15 of the county’s 26 facilities. County State’s Attorney Jay Scott announced
“We were able to do this at no cost that effective immediately their agencies are
to the county,” Schmidt said. “The implementing a No-Refusal Program for
remaining facilities use Southwestern Driving Under the Influence arrests. Under
Electric or are too small to participate this program search warrants will be sought to
in the energy program.” authorize blood draws from drivers arrested
He said the bulb replacement will for DUI who refuse to submit to a breath test
save the county approximately $67,900 or to provide a blood sample voluntarily.
in annual energy costs. LEDs are one Decatur Police Officers and Macon County
of the most energy-efficient types of lighting, Deputies who are trained forensic phleboto-
mists will collect the samples, which will be
using a fraction of power compared to other types of lights, Schmidt said. LEDs have
forensically analyzed for alcohol or cannabis
a longer life span, which reduces long-term maintenance.
levels or presence of controlled substances.
“These lights will have a five-year warranty,” Schmidt said.
Officers and deputies will work in coordina-
Four years ago, the county took part in Ameren’s program to replace its T12
tion with prosecutors and judges to quickly
bulbs with T8, which reduced the county’s electric bills. Lighting accounts for 20-50
obtain the search warrants for drivers who
percent of the average business' electricity consumption.
refuse testing. The program will initially be
County Board member Clint Jones, who is also chair of the Facilities Commit-
limited to Class 2 felony or higher Aggravated
tee, said the move to switch was a good one. DUI arrests, the most dangerous DUI offend-
“Mr. Schmidt has done a great job in finding ways to save the county money,” ers, with the possibility of expanding to lower
Jones said. “It’s not just a savings for the county, but for the taxpayer.” level offenses in the future.
No refusal programs have been effective in
Source: Advantage News, advantagenews.com.
other jurisdictions across the nation in helping
build solid cases for prosecution of DUI
offenders.
Proper heating,
ventilation and air-
conditioning (HVAC) New coroner named
are key to maintaining
a comfortable and The Sangamon County Board
productive work officially named Jim Allmon as
environment. the new county coroner. This
comes after Coroner Cinda
Edwards and two others were
Collectively, these systems account for up to 40% of killed in a plane crash in
the energy used in businesses. Your county buildings January. Allmon served as the
can enjoy significant savings year after year with chief deputy to the coroner and
improvements to your HVAC system. Cash incentives will serve until the next election
are available for a variety of HVAC/Water Heater for the post in November.
projects at amerenillinoissavings.com. "She made us wanna work," said Allmon.
"There's is no better way to honor a public
To learn more contact Carol Kulek at (217) 741-2489 or kulek79@aol.com.
servant than to serve the public and that is
hands down what I intend to do."