Grant requests approved

Ector County commissioners approved a list of requests Monday to help fund energy efficient improvements to county buildings.

Commissioners submitted a list of eight requests to the State Energy Conservation Office, with three of those considered "high priority."

The high priority requests, totaling $56,232, would make improvements to the county courthouse and maintenance building.

"It’s just a way to save some money and save the county on energy cost," said Charles Pierce, assistant building maintenance director. "It’s good to save the taxpayers all we can."

If money is left over, Pierce said he would also like to see the installation of motion sensor lighting controls at the county administration annex building at a cost of $9,309.

Pierce said he feels good about getting the funding.

"We’ve been basically told we have it," he said. "We’ll find out for sure in a couple days."

Commissioners also approved a plan for a grant of $91,500 for planning for the future of county water, sewer and road systems. Commissioners had been hoping to receive $200,000 from the grant from the Office of Rural Community Affairs. They plan to reapply for the reminder in the future.

The county plans to use the money to survey different areas to determine which need to be priorities for funding, County Judge Susan Redford said.

"We’re trying to be proactive rather than reactive for the needs of the county," she said.

Commissioners also approved:

>> A resolution honoring the Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang for 70 years of service.

>> A $1,400 donation from Christ Lutheran Church for the West Odessa and Gardendale volunteer fire departments.

>> A $600 donation for concrete benches at Ector County Cemetery.

>> A bid on a used Caterpillar 950H articulating wheel loader for $166,500.

>> Purchase of property at 405 S. Muskingum Ave. for expansion of the cemetery.

>> Wording changes to the Ector County employee health plan.

>> A $424,717 budget amendment for the final payment in the county’s Odyssey judicial software program.

>> A $57,500 budget amendment for airport building materials.

>> A $6,240 budget amendment for contract services.

>> Extending the application period for the medical examiner department head position indefinitely.

FACT DILE

Here are the "high priority" Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program requests:

>> Maintenance building lighting retrofit.

Estimated cost: $10,000.

Estimated yearly savings: $1,346.81.

Estimated payback: 7.4 years.

>> Maintenance building condensing unit/coil retrofit.

Estimated cost: $25,680.

Estimated yearly savings: $1,696.

Estimated payback: 15.1 years.

>> Courthouse holding cell air handler replacement, including controls.

Estimated Cost: $20,552.

Estimated yearly savings: $1,546.

Estimated payback: 14.2 years.