County Board Moves Ahead w/Solar Project on County Office Building

The Effingham County Board Tuesday voted to award a contract for a solar energy system to be placed on the roof of the County Office Building downtown. The project will also involve new windows on the second through fourth floors of the building. 

The total cost is $600,821. The energy savings from the solar project will reduce the project cost to $440,000. 

One change was made to the project. The Board voted to allow four vented windows on each floor. Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns wanted the vented windows as a safety option. Other officials said they wanted the vented windows due to the heat that results on certain sunny days. A process will be decided as to where the vented windows will be placed. The vented windows will add $16,800 to the project cost.

Board member Chris Keller voted against the project because of the age of the building. Board member Elizabeth Huston was not present for the meeting.

There are also safeguards as to the project. If the incentives promised the County for undertaking the project are not forthcoming, the County can back out of the deal at no cost to the County.

Also Tuesday, the Board took action on several allocations of ARPA funds for a number of projects. That includes $10,000 to Effingham County Public Transportation, which will lead to free bus rides in the comunity for senior, disabled and veteran residents of the county.