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Editor's note: This article incorrectly listed the estimated savings for energy-saving upgrades to four county-owned buildings. The suggested changes from N.C. A&T would cut $137,000 from annual power bills.

GREENSBORO — Utility bills could be cut by $137,000 annually across four county-owned buildings, but the county must first find the money to make improvements to lighting, electrical and ventilation systems.

The one-time cost of those improvements is estimated at $1.2 million.

Fred Jones, facilities director for Guilford County, said the county hopes federal stimulus money can be used to pay for upgrades suggested in a report prepared this year by N.C. A&T.

The report was part of the county’s ongoing effort to save money.

Commissioners Chairman Melvin “Skip” Alston helped arrange the A&T energy audit.

The county needs federal, state or grant funds to pay for the improvements, or it will have to find money in an already tight county budget.

But the maintenance director at the Greensboro Coliseum wonders why the county won’t use a performance contract.

Though it would cost more, a performance contract means the county could get the work done quickly through an outside firm that would be paid with tax money saved on reduced energy bills. If the efficiencies promised by the contractor aren’t delivered, then the installer covers the cost.

“I’m just frustrated with [the county] that no one will do anything with it,” said Mike Perdue, maintenance and production manager at the city-owned coliseum. The coliseum recently underwent a $2.9 million upgrade for efficient lighting, fixtures, ventilation systems and other changes expected to save $4 million on annual energy bills.

Siemens Building Technologies completed the work and was paid with money the coliseum would have spent on utility bills.

In early 2009, Guilford County was ready to find a company to do similar work but the plan was called off by a committee appointed by Alston.

Engineers from A&T instead reviewed four buildings and recommended efficiencies in an April report.

“I heard about them from a friend of mine, and then Carolyn Coleman contacted them,” Alston said of A&T’s Center for Energy Research and Technology.

The center has also worked on energy audits at the Proximity Hotel and other government buildings.

Coleman led a committee on efficient government, which Alston appointed to review county operations. The committee had no official authority from the Board of Commissioners.

Now, the county is looking for public funds to make the suggested changes.

If federal stimulus funds don’t arrive, the county will look for local money, Jones said.

Until then, county staff is handling projects such as replacing light bulbs. Bigger jobs in the $1.2 million projects recommended from A&T must wait until money arrives.

“Some of it will be done by staff, and some of it will be have to contracted out,” Jones said. On the performance contract method, Jones said “it costs a little bit more but all happens at the same time.”

For the coliseum, Perdue estimated the difference between in-house work and an outside firm was about $40,000. He said that doesn’t factor in staff time or environmental costs of using outdated equipment.

For two years, Perdue has recommended the county try performance contracting. In August, he again spoke before the commissioners.

“It doesn’t take long to pay that fee,” he said. “And they just can’t get past that fee. Sometimes you have to look at what you’re getting for your fees.”

Contact Gerald Witt at 373-7008 or gerald.witt@news-record.com