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1 <br /> ORD-2026-009 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: April 7, 2026 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-n <br /> SUBJECT: Authorization of Funding for Four (4) Priority County Solar Projects to Secure <br /> Federal Direct Pay Incentives and Approval of Budget Amendment #8-B <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Manager's Office <br /> Asset Management Services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Year-To-Date Budget Summary Amy Eckberg, Sustainability Programs <br /> Manager, 919-245-2626 <br /> Alan Dorman, AMS Director, 919-245-2627 <br /> Kirk Vaughn, Budget Director, 919-245- <br /> 2153 <br /> PURPOSE: To: <br /> 1) Approve full funding for four (4) priority solar installation projects which will take <br /> advantage of Direct Pay solar incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act; <br /> 2) Authorize the County Manager to execute an agreement with the responsive/ <br /> responsible bidder following the bid process, subject to final review by the County <br /> Attorney, and to approve any subsequent amendments for contingent or unforeseen <br /> needs within the approved budget on behalf of the Board.; and <br /> 3) Approve Budget Amendment #8-B. <br /> BACKGROUND: Orange County's Climate Action Plan (CAP) establishes targets of reducing <br /> greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 50 percent by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by <br /> 2050. In addition, the Board of Commissioners adopted a 2017 resolution committing the <br /> County to transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. <br /> To support these goals, CAP Action: Built Environment and Energy (BE) 2.1 calls for <br /> expanding on-site renewable energy generation at County facilities. Solar installations are <br /> one of the most effective strategies to reduce emissions and stabilize long-term energy <br /> costs. <br /> Based on the recently completed consultant-led solar feasibility study, staff have prioritized <br /> the following facilities for immediate solar installation, based on roof readiness, electrical <br /> infrastructure, and financial feasibility. The four (4) facilities identified for immediate solar <br /> installation are: <br /> • Solid Waste Administration Building - $140,333 <br /> • Whitted Building - $323,976 <br /> • Sportsplex Fieldhouse - $640,789 <br /> • Emergency Services Center - $239,923 <br />