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Making Shared Services Work for Your Bottom Line

General Services Conference:Always On and Making It Work

April 4, 2014

Thinking Outside of the Box

• Unique position to utilize expertise and core competencies

• Create partnerships with local governments, agencies, and non-profits outside of the General Services and/or County purview.

• Help Meet Community Climate Action Goals

PACE: The Foundation

Provides residential/commercial property owners with financing for energy improvements.

Services:• Marketing/Education/Outreach• Process contracts • Provide resources• Quality Assurance• Training• Tool Lending Library

Energy Watch: The Foundation

Provides resources for municipalities, government, non-profits, and business owners wanting to make energy efficiency improvements.

Services:• Energy audits• Technical assistance• Consultation• Rebates and incentives• Financing options

Windsor PAYS®: A New Start

Act as Certification Agent for Pay As You Save: incorporates single and multifamily residences

Services:• Customer Service delivery • Act as gatekeeper, manage contracts• Verification of work to satisfaction of customer• Education/Outreach  

Healdsburg Electric Dept: Going LocalExisting residential energy efficiency and rebate program for electric utility.

Services:• Customer Service• Free walk-thru energy assessments• Marketing/Education/Outreach• Attend monthly power agency

meetings

Shared Services Budget Impact

64%12%

4%

6%

4%5%

3% 2% 0%

Approximate Revenue ~$8.4 Million

General FundPACE AssessmentsUtility customersARRAReimbursementsRebatesRebates/PG&EWindsor PilotHealdsburg

Energy and Sustainability Budget

Staffing: Making It Go

PACE 8 full-time employees Billing – through financing applications, 4% for administration

SCEW 2 full-time employees Billing – administration and expenses

Windsor PAYS Lead person – 5 hours per week Billing – By project plus expenses

Healdsburg Electric Department Lead person plus intern - 5 hours per week Billing – Time and materials

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Customer Service is Key!

• Assess and develop knowledge and expertise

• Provide tools and programs

• Identify resources within General Services

• Develop great products/expertise

• Establish core competencies

• Build on strengths

• Establish partnerships and create relationships

• Consider behavioral aspects when hiring

Benefits: Shared Services Going External

to the Community The Community as a whole benefits from shared services creating a better bottom line for everyone.

• Common Green House Gas reduction goals

• Education opportunities - being informed and making

educated decisions

• Clear explanations

• Variety of options to make upgrades

• Reduces/minimizes confusion

Benefits: Shared Services Going External to Local Governments/Agencies/Non-Profits

Local governments, agencies, and non-profits gain from shared services creating a better bottom line as they serve the community.

• Expertise/knowledge available

• Reduce duplication - freeing resources

• Marketing/Education/Outreach

• Access to resources

• Keeps economy local

Benefits: Shared Services Going External to General Services

• Income supporting budget • Profits earned - increasing income• Keeps people employed• Possible to practice and increase

knowledge/expertise, enabling department to handle larger projects

• Provides access to data• Marketing and outreach opportunities beyond

immediate programs• More open relations between residents and County

government • Establishes collaborations - resulting in stronger

relationships between County General Services and other public entities

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The Bottom Line: Economy, Ecology,

and Environment

Promote and deliver solutions… and do it well!

• Lead by example

• Best practices

• Provide education and tools

• Establish partnerships and create relationships

• Future opportunities

VALUE to the Community!

Thank you!

Sonoma County Energy & Sustainability Division2300 County Center Drive, Suite A105

Santa Rosa, California 95403

Jane EliasProgram Manager- Energy Independence Program (707) 565-6483Jane.Elias@sonoma-county.orgwww.sonomacountyenergy.org

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