By Chris Moore

chris.moore@panews.com

BEAUMONT — The Jefferson County Commissioners agreed on rates for certificates to pay for the county’s energy-saving upgrades during commissioners’ court Monday.

Earlier this year, the commissioners hired Johnson Controls to save to save the county money and make them more energy efficient.

During a presentation to the court, a spokesperson with Johnson Controls predicted the county would receive a 3.5% interest rate on the certificate.

On Monday, the county agreed to a 2.71% interest rate.

“The county is not allowed to go out and borrow money from a bank,” Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick said. “We are allowed to go out and get certificates of obligation bonds or revenue bonds. We couldn’t get a 2.7% interest rate from a bank anyway.”

Branick said the county would be able to recover the money quicker than projected.

“I’m really excited about it,” he said.

The county will begin working on putting LED lights and upgraded HVAC controls in all of the county buildings along with changing the toilet flushing apparatus in the cells at the jails. The change would limit the amount of times inmates can flush, reducing the risk of inmates intentionally flooding their cells.

The commissioners also received and filed bids from contactors to work on the concession stands at Ford Park.

Branick said the commissioners would likely award a bid next week. Afterwards, the contractors and representatives for Ford Park will have to work out a schedule to make sure they can create a work schedule that reduces the adverse effects on Ford Parks’ business.