TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR TO REPORT TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DETAILING THE STEPS NEEDED AND TIMELINE REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY MODELED ON THE ARKANSAS HOME ENERGY AFFORDABILITY LOAN (HEAL) PROGRAM

BODY


WHEREAS, the State of Arkansas, with the assistance from the William J. Clinton Foundation, has pioneered a program called the Home Energy Affordability Loan (HEAL); and
WHEREAS, the HEAL program provides a mechanism for businesses and local governments to provide small loans to qualifying employees to invest in energy efficiency home improvements; and
WHEREAS, approved energy efficiency projects generate energy savings to the employee and are then paid back by the employee through payroll deductions which are amortized through a �pay as you save� schedule that ties payments to the savings realized through lower utility bills; and
WHEREAS, County employees have accepted multiple years of reductions in compensation and benefits, and such a home energy efficiency loan program can help reduce energy costs for participating employees; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the County to encourage investment in home energy efficiency upgrades because such investment creates job opportunities in the sectors hardest hit in the recession � home construction and associated businesses � and creates opportunities to grow �green collar� jobs; and
WHEREAS, such a program, especially if replicated by other local governments and businesses, would spark demand for building trade professionals while creating incentives for the purchase of household durable goods from local retailers,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the Board of County Commissioners directs the Mayor or the Mayor�s designee to provide a report to the Board detailing the steps needed and timeline required to establish a program available to employees of Miami-Dade County modeled on the Arkansas Home Energy Affordability Loan (HEAL) program that would:
1. Finance energy efficiency retrofits for qualifying employees using payroll deduction as the repayment mechanism.

2. Identify energy efficiency retrofit projects of County facilities that can be used as the energy savings �bank� to fund such a program.

3. Partner with the Dade County Federal Credit Union as the County�s lending partner.

4. Review loan qualification standards that incorporate factors of employment, such as longevity and good work habits, in lieu of credit history or lack of credit history

The Mayor is further directed to engage Florida Power and Light and Homestead Energy Services to determine how such a program could best leverage their assistance in providing free energy audits and utility rebates for efficiency upgrades. The Board requires such report to be due in 120 days from the date of this resolution.