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PROPOSED PREVIOUSLY APPROVED ITEM AMENDMENT
Department: Department of Facilities and Fleet
Request: It is respectfully requested that this proposed amendment be approved in order to revise the General Superintendent’s authority to approve and execute utility agreements from an annual Not to Exceed Amount of $1,000,000 to $1,750,000 to cover increased energy costs and potential equipment costs under Board Item No. 26-0224.
Item Number: 25-0296
Original Text of Item: PROPOSED RESOLUTION
REQUEST FOR GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT AUTHORITY TO APPROVE AND EXECUTE UTILITY AGREEMENTS
WHEREAS, on 9/9/2025 the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners approved the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) entering into a contract with Ameresco, Inc. to provide energy consultant, procurement, bill payment and data management services for the procurement of and budgeting for electricity, natural gas, and renewable energy for Forest Preserves facilities (Board Item No. 25-0293) (the “Contract”); and
WHEREAS, the Contract is due to expire on 9/30/2028 and has one (1) two-year renewal option; and
WHEREAS, in order for the Forest Preserves to lock in the best utility rates, the Forest Preserves must approve rates and enter into corresponding energy agreements on a timeframe that is shorter than thirty (30) days; and
WHEREAS, under the Contract, Ameresco is tasked with soliciting quotes, recommending energy suppliers, and administering agreements with energy providers; and
WHEREAS, over the last three (3) years, the Forest Preserves has spent an average of approximately $820,000.00 annually for electricity and natural gas to operate its facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserves Board of Commissioners approved a similar resolution involving energy agreements and contract authorization on January 26, 2021 via Board Item No. 21-0125.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that President Toni Preckwinkle and the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby authorize the Forest Preserves General Superintendent to approve and execute any agreements for energy providers recommended by Ameresco, Inc., pursuant to the Contract; provided, however, that (1) any such agreements do not exceed a duration of forty-eight (48) months, and (2) the annual aggregate spend on such agreements will not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) One Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,750,000.00) (collectively, the “Energy Contracts”).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that on an annual basis, no later than the first Committee on Finance meeting after March 1st July board meeting, the General Superintendent shall submit to the Committee Board a report covering all payments made pursuant to such Energy Contracts during the prior calendar year.
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