1

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 FoundationProvides 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 StartAct as Certification Agent for Pay As You Save: incorporates single and multifamily residencesServices:• 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 GoPACE 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

9

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

13

The Bottom Line: Economy, Ecology,

and EnvironmentPromote 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

14