Effingham County commissioners agreed to go ahead with an intergovernmental agreement for an energy efficiency and conservation block agreement.
The lion’s share of the $300,000 grant is going to the Effingham Board of Education. The grant, provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority, does not require a local match of any kind.
The school system is receiving about $282,000, with the county getting the remaining $18,000. The county’s portion is going toward energy conservation measures at the historic courthouse.
“Our portion of the work is all but complete. All we have to do is purchase the fixtures,” county project manager Adam Kobek said.
The school system is using about $20,000 of the grant for new fluorescent lamps in the Effingham County High School gymnasium. The bulk of the grant, more than $260,000, will go to install a solar panel on the roof of the one of the schools.
GEFA had about $13.3 million available through its energy efficiency and conservation block grant program. Eligible applicants were restricted to cities having a population of less than 35,000 or counties with populations of less than 200,000.
Commissioners also have approved an agreement with the Coastal Workforce Investment Board for computer services at the One-Stop Center at the county annex.
The Coastal Workforce Services provides a direct connection to the state Department of Labor, Kobek said. It also serves to support job recruitment, job training and job retention skills.
Between two dozen and three dozen people a week are using the One Stop Center, according to Kobek, and that’s with only being open two days a week.
Commissioners also have approved job descriptions for director of public works, civil engineer, equipment operator-senior, equipment operator, heavy equipment operator, road construction supervisor and road superintendent. The county has chosen to end its contract with OMI and is taking over the operations of its public works department.
Commissioners will hold a public hearing tonight at 6:30 on the proposed fiscal year 2011 budget with a public hearing on the millage rate at 7 p.m.
Commissioners also will have a presentation on the Effingham Hospital modernization and expansion feasibility study at 7:15 p.m.
