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 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 Local Existing 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 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

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 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

Thank you! Sonoma County Energy & Sustainability Division 2300 County Center Drive, Suite A105 Santa Rosa, California Jane Elias Program Manager- Energy Independence Program (707)