Financial Stewardship
Financial stewardship is the practice of optimizing taxpayer funded initiatives and resources responsibly to achieve Office of Energy & Sustainability goals and objectives. This involves making wise decisions about how and where to invest taxpayer funds, time, and staff that result in revenue and/or cost avoidance savings. Examples of this include Grant and Utility Incentive Capture and Utility Bill Audit Process.
Challenge
Capture grants and incentives to offset energy-efficiency project costs, like LED lighting upgrades, that supports Montgomery County's "A Greener County" vision to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 100% by 2035.
Change
Achieved FY24 Grant and Utility Incentive Capture initiative target of $1.4 Million, keeping pace with $1.4 Million Grant and Utility Incentive three-year average (FY21- FY23).
Impact
The Grant and Utility Incentive Capture initiative was launched FY13 as part of the Department of General Services (DGS) ongoing effort to optimize resources. DGS has captured $13.7 Million from FY13 to FY24 to offset advanced energy and energy-efficiency project costs that reduce County facility operating and maintenance costs while reducing GHG emissions.
Learning
The DGS team continues to develop innovative initiatives that can be applied across DGS and other County Agencies while supporting the newly formed Office of Grants Management.
Results: The Grant and Utility Incentive Capture initiative has generated $13.7 Million in revenue since FY13 and $5.8 Million in revenue over last four fiscal years- see Table below.
Challenge
The Department of General Services (DGS) must audit for utility billing errors over 23,000 County utility bills via utility bill software platform to ensure correct utility bill payment before payment processing. County contractors identify incorrect utility bills, then interface with utility providers and correct utility bills before payment processing.
Change
The Utility Bill Audit process targets interventions between DGS and County utility bill providers, focusing on innovative methods that result in capturing dollar savings from utility billing errors and water credits.
Impact
The Utility Bill Audit process was launched FY13 as part of the Department of General Services (DGS) ongoing effort to optimize resources. DGS has captured $4.06 Million in savings from FY13 to FY24 which the County would have otherwise paid.
Learning
DGS continues to develop efficient and effective processes that optimize DGS resources.
Results: The Utility Bill Audit process has saved the County $4.06 Million since FY13 and $1.5 Million over last four fiscal years- see Table below.