Board to review energy-saving measures for county
The Yuma County Board of Supervisors is set to review energy-saving measures recommended by Siemens Industry Inc. and a county review team when it meets for its regular meeting Monday.
A county project review team with three top staffers and one outside engineer is recommending against a 15year performance contracting agreement proposed by Siemens, according to its report.
The risks of being locked into its terms would outweigh the benefits of having Siemens oversee its energy reduction program, the team said.
But it is recommending the county pay Siemens $110,000 for the “industrial grade energy audit” it conducted for the county late last year, a sum originally approved in August.
The report further says the county should plan for replacement of about 80 rooftop air conditioning units over the next 11 years, at a total projected cost of $1.3 million. Estimated energy cost savings are just over $134,000.
The meeting will begin 9 a.m. Monday in the Board of Supervisors auditorium at 198 S. Main St., Yuma. Other items include:
• A public hearing for public comment on a plan to borrow up to $6.4 million, in principal and interest, over 10 years to pay for several capital improvement projects, including the $1.8 million second phase of renovations at 198 S. Main St. and $1.4 million for software and database replacement.
The board will be taking written comment until Aug. 17, and is scheduled to vote on the bond issue Aug. 20.
• Approval of up to $89,000 in economic incentives for Gourmet Garden, a spice manufacturer planning to open a facility creating 89 jobs in the Yuma Commerce Center. The money is to be used for employee training costs over a sixyear period. On Wednesday the Yuma City Council authorized City Administrator Greg Wilkinson to execute the city’s own economic development and deferral agreement with the company, also known as Botanical Food Company.
• Authorization for the county to join a class-action lawsuit over underpaid federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes funding, expected to net an award worth up to $93,000.
The original suit has been filed and won by a Utah county, and the judge opened it up to all other U.S. government agencies which may have been shorted. PILT payments are paid to counties, cities and other jurisdictions in which the federal government has land holdings which are property taxexempt.
• A staff request for the County Attorney’s Office to file an abatement action against the owner of a property at 14104 Pamela de Fortuna, who has been cited by zoning officials for unlawful storage of construction equipment and materials, including large concrete blocks, boulders, sand and gravel.
• A public hearing and vote on Yuma County Public Health Services District fee changes, mostly affecting permit fees for food processors and distributors, eating and drinking establishments and plan reviews.
• Two requested modification of subdivision regulations for Sierra Ridge Unit 2 subdivision regarding road improvement requirements. The county Planning and Zoning Commission recommended board approval of the changes at its June meeting.
• A rezoning request by Desert Paradise Partnership Trust for 40 acres on County 8th Street near Avenue 37E near Wellton, from Rural Area-40 acre minimum to Rural Area-10 acre minimum.
• A rezoning request by Savera Holdings for 10 acres near County 17th Street and Avenue A near Somerton, from Rural Area-10 acre minimum to Rural Area-2 acre minimum.
• Four zoning reversion hearings, for properties where the owners have not met required development deadlines: two near the intersection of Avenue 15E and 44th Street in the Foothills, one at the southeast corner of Avenue 1E and County 16th Street south of Yuma, and one at State Route 195 north of County 14th Street, outside Yuma.
• Action to distribute $11,454 in community program funding from the Quechan Indian Tribe evenly between the Healing Journey and Campesinos sin Fronteras.
The meeting will be broadcast on the county’s cable channel, Yuma77, and webcast and available for later viewing at www. yumacountyaz.gov and the Yuma County Government Facebook page. Spanish subtitles are shown on rebroadcasts.