Forrest County aims to decrease electricity usage

FORREST COUNTY, MISS. – Forrest County’s administrators agree to a contract that will save the county millions of dollars and ultimately lighten the burden for taxpayers. The new agreement will save the county approximately $4 million over the next 15 years.

“The amount of work to be done at our buildings [will cost] right at $2.9 million, but the savings is $4 million,” David Hogan, the Forrest County Board of Supervisors president said.

The county plans to spend $2.9 million on renovations to numerous county buildings. The renovations will help make each building more energy efficient, causing the county to receive lower electricity bills, and ultimately keeping them from asking taxpayers for money. “We did enter into a contract with that company [McNeil Rhodes of Pearl] to come in and replace our light fixtures with more energy efficient LED lighting, and replace some of our plumbing fixtures with less water usage fixtures,” Hogan said. McNeil Rhodes will handle the renovations as part of their agreement with the board, and Hogan assures residents the county cannot lose on this deal. “If the contractors’ work does not perform as stated in the contract, then there will be repercussions for that contractor,” Hogan said. “We feel very comfortable about it.” According to Hogan, the first building he expects for contractors to begin working on will be the Forrest County Jail.