DEPARTMENT: Facilities Management
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract With McKinstry Essention, LLC, For Energy Improvements Project Phase Two Investment Grade Audit
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a contract with McKinstry Essention, LLC, for an Investment Grade Audit (IGA) for the Phase 2 Energy Improvements project.
SUMMARY
Dakota County operates over 1.6 million square feet of buildings, including 10 libraries, three service centers, detention and 911 centers, maintenance facilities, and dozens of park buildings and structures. These facilities consume electricity and natural gas, totaling the taxpayers $2.3 million in annual expenses in 2023.
The Phase One Energy Improvements project converted over 14,000 lights to LED, added approximately one megawatt of solar across four sites, and completed HVAC retrocommissioning work at the Northern and Western Service Centers. The lighting and HVAC work was completed over the course of 2024, with the solar coming online in February and March 2025. Countywide facilities energy data from 2023 to 2024 showed a decrease in consumption of 7.7 percent and a cost reduction of 18 percent.
Building on the success of Phase One, staff have continued the partnership with McKinstry Essention, LLC (McKinstry) to explore options to maximize the County's return on investment in additional energy projects. McKinstry reassessed all County facilities and another set of projects estimated to save an additional 10 to 15 percent on top of Phase One savings. These include solar at five sites, mechanical upgrades at eight to 10 buildings, HVAC retrocommissioning at more than 15 buildings, and building envelope sealing at 15 to 20 buildings (Attachment: Presentation Slides). This scope is estimated to cost between $4,000,000 to $4,500,000 and represents the best value to the County for the work to be performed.
The next step in this process is to sign a contract in an amount not ...
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