To: Brian K. Flewelling, Public Works Committee Chairperson
From: Raymond Zanke, Director of Facilities and Operations
title
RE: Approval of an agreement between Genesee County and Sorensen Gross, in the amount not to exceed $590,000.00, to provide for the design and installation of a dog run canopy at Genesee County Animal Care; the cost of this agreement will be paid from the accounts listed
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Genesee County Facilities and Operations is recommending approval of the Genesee County Animal Care Facility Solar Canopy Design and Installation contract with Sorensen Gross in the amount of $590,000.00 and for Board Chairperson Dale K. Weighill to sign the contract. Staff is also requesting approval of the attached budget transfer and to create a purchase order for Sorensen Gross in the amount of $590,000.00 for this activity
BACKGROUND:
In December 2024, Genesee County accepted a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program for the design and installation of a solar array over the dog runs at the Genesee County Animal Care Facility. The amount awarded under the grant was pre-determined by the US Department of Energy. A Request for Proposals (RFP) for design and installation services related to the solar array at the Genesee County Animal Care Facility closed on February 18, 2026, and three (3) proposals were received. Proposals were evaluated and scored by an internal evaluation team. The top two (2) qualified firms were then interviewed and scored. Through this process, Sorensen Gross was selected as the preferred firm after receiving the highest overall evaluation score.
DISCUSSION:
Genesee County Facilities and Operations is recommending approval to enter into a contract with Sorensen Gross in the amount of $590,000.00 to design and install a solar canopy over the dog runs at the Genesee County Animal Care Facility located G-4351 W. Pasadena Ave., Flint, MI 48504, and for Board Chairperson, Commissioner Dale K. Weighill, to sign the contract.
Staff is also requesting a cost share commitment of $211,000.00 for the anticipated remaining cost of the project, which will be recouped and provide a positive cash flow over ten (10) years due to energy savings.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
No impact on human resources. Design and installation services will be conducted by a hired consultant.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
To be paid from accounts 2325-731.00-975.001 ($481,000), & 4130-430.00-975.001 ($109,000).
Of the $590,000 total project cost, $270,000.00 will be covered by the federal grant and $320,000.00 by local match. The local match will be recouped by an IRS clean electricity reimbursement in the amount of $96,000.00 and energy cost savings over approximately 10 years.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
The installation of the solar panels is estimated to produce 12% of the annual energy costs for the animal care facility. The canopy structure will also directly improve operations and reduce winter maintenance by eliminating the need to remove snow from each individual dog run, as well as provide shade during the warmer months.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
No impact on technology.
IMPACT ON INDIRECT COSTS:
No impact on indirect costs.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
To meet Genesee County’s priority of healthy, livable, and safe communities through environmental stewardship, this grant will fund the design and installation of solar panels at the Genesee County Animal Care Facility while providing shade over the dog runs. To support the county’s priority of long-term financial stability, the system will be recouped and provide a positive cash flow after 10 years.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by Director of Facilities and Operations to authorize entering into an agreement between Genesee County and Sorensen Gross, whereby the contractor will design and install a solar canopy over the dog runs at Genesee County Animal Care, at a total cost not to exceed $590,000.00 to be paid from accounts 2325-733.11-975.001 and 4130-430.00-975.001 is approved (a copy of the memorandum request, contract, and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the May 6, 2026 meeting of the Public Works Committee of this Board), the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to execute the agreement on behalf of Genesee County, and the Chief Financial Officer is directed to record the attached budget amendment.