The city of Evansville is hoping to save around $3 million through a project development agreement with Johnson Controls Inc. The company will lead an effort to make energy, water infrastructure and operational improvements as part of the deal with the city's water and sewer utility board.

The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility (EWSU) Board approved a project development agreement (PDA) yesterday with Johnson Controls, Inc. which is expected to create operational efficiencies and save the City of Evansville millions of dollars.

Under the terms of the PDA, Johnson Controls will lead an overall effort to pursue energy, water, network infrastructure, and operational improvements; and will work in concert with Energy Systems Group on these efforts.

“The goals of this project are to reduce costs while offering improved services to citizens and ratepayers, and to meet the City’s commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel.

The PDA calls for upgrades to the water and wastewater plants and an assessment of automated meter reading (AMR) devices that send meter readings electronically to the EWSU. The AMR system could lead to the creation of a wireless communication network that may also provide benefits to the Police Department, Fire Department, Building Commission, Department of Metropolitan Development, and other City and County departments. Such projects are expected to produce more than $3 million in savings and new revenue streams. The EWSU will evaluate the results of the assessment in collaboration with the City/County Computer Services Department. The City then expects to enter into a performance-based contract to execute projects deemed most beneficial to the City of Evansville.

“Performance-based contracting offers a unique approach to funding capital improvement projects by using a portion of the energy savings expected to result from a capital improvement project to pay for the project itself – without rate increases,” added Weinzapfel.

This self-funded program, projected to be completed almost entirely with local workforce, has the potential to create jobs for the area, improve services to utility ratepayers, improve working environments for City employees, reduce CO2 emissions from EWSU facilities, and provide a wireless network for several City and County departments.

About Johnson Controls:
Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. The company’s 142,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Johnson Controls’ commitment to sustainability dates back to its roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through its growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2011, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #1 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/.

About Energy Systems Group:
Energy Systems Group (ESG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectren Corporation (NYSE: VVC), is an award-winning energy services company that specializes in delivering sustainable energy solutions which allow building owners to maximize their energy efficiency and operational performance, while reducing their carbon footprint. Through its core business of performance contracting, ESG provides customers with innovative energy efficiency, technology, and long-term financing solutions for modernization of their facilities and energy infrastructure.

To learn more about ESG, visit www.energysystemsgroup.com.

Source: InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=47890

The Signature School in Evansville is eighth on the 2011 best public high schools in the nation list compiled by The Washington Post. The charter school is ranked as the top high school in the Midwest.

Evansville’s Signature School has been ranked by “The Washington Post” as the number one high school in the Midwest, the number three charter school in the nation, and number eight high school in the country. The school will be featured in the May 22 edition of the Post.

Columnist Jay Mathews, who formerly published the Challenge Index in “Newsweek,” gathers data to measure how effectively a school prepares its students for college. By dividing the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or other college-level tests a school gave in 2010 by the number of graduating seniors, Mathews seeks to measure the level of challenge for all students in a given high school. According to Mathews, the rating can reveal the level of a high school’s commitment to preparing average students for college. Schools with especially high SAT or ACT scores, indicating an elite student body, are included in a separate Challenge Index.

“Overall, we’re just students who want to learn,” said junior Bailey Trela.

Signature achieved 100 percent Equity and Excellence score in the rating, indicating that 100 percent of all graduating seniors achieved a passing score in AP or IB testing. Signature is also ranked as the number one school in Indiana on Equity and Excellence for AP testing.

Under the Indiana Charter School Law, charter schools are public schools that are established to provide innovative and autonomous programs. The law “allows these public schools freedom and flexibility in exchange for exceptional levels of accountability.” Signature receives 35% less funding than traditional schools.

The President of the Signature School Board of Directors, Mr. Robert L. Koch II said, “I am proud of the staff and the students for achieving this outstanding recognition. I believe it reflects positively on the Evansville community as well as the state of Indiana.” Vicki Snyder, Executive Director of Signature School said the school’s accomplishments over the past several years would not be possible without the support of the parents. “They are an integral part of our program.” She goes on to say that “Signature has also been fortunate for the support given to the school by the Signature’s Board of Directors, the business community, and the Signature School Foundation.”

You can view The Washington Post ranking of Indiana schools by clicking here.

You can view the national rankings by clicking here.

Source: Signature School & InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report  http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=47836

With models priced from $29 to $5,000 and up, outdoor gas grills offer convenience and ease-of-use to fit any budget.

There may be no home cooking appliance with a wider price range than the outdoor gas grill. With models starting as low as $29 and climbing to $5,000 and higher, it is an understatement to say there’s is a model for every budget. When shopping for a gas grill, the motto “You get what you pay for” is especially fitting, explains Dan Marguerite, owner of Backyard Barbecue Store in Wilmette, Ill. Basement models, he says, offer poor performance, are cheaply constructed, and often fail to survive two summers.

Cost range: $29-$5,000 and up

Likely additional costs: Assembly, natural gas hookup or propane tank, cover

Average life span: 2-16 years

Sub-$50 range

Grills in the sub-$50 range are often of the tabletop propane variety. These units are constructed of thin painted sheet metal and cheaply fabricated components, all but guaranteeing a short lifespan. Brief 90-day warranties don’t offer much of a safety net.

When it comes to power, these grills are positively entry level, says Marguerite. The single, 12,000 BTU burner is satisfactory for grilling hamburgers and hot dogs but will be far less successful at charring a thick porterhouse. Still, when it comes to portability, these grills have no equal. If you are looking for a highly mobile tailgating grill, look to this sector of the market.

$50-$150 range

The biggest differences between a $50 gas grill and a $150 grill will be size and fuel source. Boasting cooking areas over twice that of their less expensive counterparts, these grills are the most economical options for families.

Models in this price range run on liquid propane stored in large refillable tanks (as opposed to the small disposable cylinders). Construction quality is moderate, featuring lightweight steel or aluminum bodies. However, the boost in price over the cheapest gas grill models yields an extra burner (albeit a low-powered one). Most are furnished with thin, steel-rod cooking grates that may warp from exposure to high temperatures, such as those from flare-ups.

$150-$350 range

Marguerite says buyers in this price range can expect to get “middle of the road” power, with burners putting out around 20,000 BTUs. Shoppers should expect a three- or four-burner grill, a roomy cooking surface, and perhaps even a storage cabinet and side burner—a separate burner used for boiling water or other independent cooking chores.

With widths of 20 to 24 inches and boasting around 400 square inches of grill surface, these units can simultaneously cook about two dozen burgers. Homeowners in cool climes who grill year round likely will lament the thin-body construction, says Marguerite. “These grills do a poor job of retaining heat in cold weather,” he says. At this price range, expect less-expensive porcelain-coated steel cooking grates that tend to chip, rust and need replacing at a cost of $30 to $60.

$350-$600 range

Constructed of heavy cast-aluminum or thick-gauge steel, and utilizing high-quality stainless steel burners, these units are built to last. Parts that do fail will be covered by five- to 10-year warranties.

Averaging between 400 and 500 square inches of cook surface, these units are not substantially larger than those in the $150-$350 category. But they are constructed of heavy cast aluminum or thick-gauge steel and utilize multiple high-quality stainless steel burners. Heavy-duty castors and solid-built carts make it easy to move these grills from spot to spot.

Grills in this category can handle enough food for 15 to 18 people. Buyers are urged to select a burner configuration that appeals to them as some models arrange them front-to-back versus side-to-side, which can complicate indirect cooking.

$600-$1,500 range

Units starting around $600 feature burners that reach 40,000 BTUs, power that will make short work of even the largest barbecue payloads. Precision controls and even heat distribution give home cooks the ability to simultaneously sear, cook, and keep food warm. To step up to a 36-inch grill that approaches 900 square inches of cook space, a shopper should expect to spend at least $1,000.

Constructed of high-quality stainless steel throughout, these grills will weather years of use. These first-class rigs often include heavy cast-iron grates, side burners, under-grill storage, and even a rotisserie spit and motor. Buyers also get the peace of mind that comes with improved customer service and best-in-class warranties that range from 10 years on burners to 25 years on the body.

$1,500 to $5,000 range

When you spend upwards of $2,000 on a grill, you’ll get a host of features and quality construction. These appliances boast six or more top-of-the-line burners. Almost standard issue these days is an infrared sear burner that can reach temps topping 700 degrees.

Most include a rear-mounted rotisserie burner with motor, interior and exterior lighting, and even a spring-assisted lid for effortless opening. With the best grills also come the best warranties, typically covering most components for 10 to 25 years.

Propane vs. natural gas

Homeowners should decide before buying a grill whether they intend to fuel it with propane or natural gas, says Marguerite. While many grills can be converted for around $50, it is best to buy one factory engineered for one fuel type or the other.

Owners of built-in units typically choose natural gas as there are no tanks that need filling and the cost to operate is roughly half that of propane. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s most recent figures, propane costs $20.47 per million BTUs compared to natural gas’s $12.18. Assuming a homeowner grilled once a week, he or she can expect to pay about $40 per year for propane and $24 for natural gas. Marguerite says that his company charges $150 plus $7 per foot to connect a grill to a natural gas line.

Suggested extras

A good-fitting cover will extend the life of any outdoor appliance. Expect to pay between $30 and $50. Owners of propane powered grills should consider purchasing a $20 back-up tank so that a fully charged spare is always on hand. A $20 gas gauge will take the guesswork out of estimating a tank’s contents.

Douglas Trattner has covered household appliances and home improvement for HGTV.com, DIYNetworks, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. As an avid home cook and pit master-in-training, he struggled over the age-old debate of gas versus charcoal grill—so he bought one of each.

By: Douglas Trattner

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/articles/outdoor-appliance-guide-gas-grills/#ixzz1NBsblh00

The Evansville Redevelopment Commission has approved a $3 million walkway connecting a downtown casino and hotel. The walkway would let people visit Casino Aztar and Le Merigot Hotel without having to go outside.

According to our partners at the Evansville Courier-Press, the lease between the city and casino required that a walkway be built by 2012, but casino leaders have decided to start the project early. The casino’s general manager says the project would also create a safer walk to nearby restaurants.

Source: Evansville Courier-Press &  InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=47756

With the housing market having taken a serious hit in the recent past, I am sure you all know that home values have been plummeting. Well, one thing that did not plummet along with that is the property taxes most people are paying on those homes. The taxes some of us have been paying on our homes have been inaccurate (or unfair) to say the least. Several months after the housing market was in a full-fledged decline, I started seeing a good bit of coverage on this topic. And at the top of the list was what could the average homeowner do about it? About the only remedy is to dispute the property tax assessment on your home.

I saw all kinds of websites and links to people offering their help and services, often for a pretty hefty fee. My first question was…is this even worth doing? If it costs me $500 to effectively dispute the property tax assessment of my home and I end up with $500 in savings, isn’t that a waste of time?

A Do It Yourself Appeal?

So, after quite a bit of research, I found out exactly what I had to do to complete this process. Getting this information almost seemed more time consuming and difficult than the actual process. You didn’t think they’d actually make it easy, did you? This process is probably going to differ slightly from state to state but I’ll give you the quick rundown.

From The Beginning

The first thing that I found out was that it was too late to dispute the value on my home for this current tax year, which didn’t surprise me in the least. So, my next project was to find out what I had to do to dispute next year’s assessment. The first obstacle I had to dig through was everyone telling me that “it’s too early,” or “call back later,” and things like that. Again, they’re not going to make it easy.

The first thing you should do is contact your local Tax Assessor’s Office to find out the exact procedure for your locality. After that, I found out the following:

Sometime early next year, I will be getting a notice in the mail from the state with their tax assessment of my property for the year 2011. The person that I spoke to at the Tax Assessor’s Office told me that by law the state had to send the letter out, but if I wanted to really ensure that I get the letter, I could file a property tax return form up until April 1, 2010. This all sounded a little cryptic to me. If they’re required to send it out by law, then why would I need to file something to ensure that they send it out? I’ve decided to roll the dice on that one for now. We’ll wait and see how the beginning of the year goes.

The Appeal

After you receive your letter, if you decide that you disagree with the state’s assessed value for your home, you can file an appeal. And basically, the first step in this appeal is to write a letter to the Tax Assessor’s Office. This letter must be sent within 45 days of the receipt of your letter from the state.

And basically, you simply tell them why you disagree with their assessment. But along with why you disagree, you do need to provide some sort of concrete evidence. The person that I spoke with wasn’t too forthcoming on what this proof might be, but after a little prodding, she explained that it should involve two key things to “prove” my case.

The Proof

First, you will need a current appraisal of your home. And obviously, these cost money. An average amount for an appraisal of my home would be about $400. The second piece of advice she offered was to include recent home sales in your area of homes that are “comparable” to yours in size. If your home is assessed at $200K, for example, but you can show that six other homes in your neighborhood of comparable size recently sold for $170,000, then you should have a pretty good case. Where do you get these “comparables”? Believe it or not, I found a real estate agent that ran them for me for free. I’d imagine you could do the same as well if you look around hard enough.

The Results

After this, the Assessor’s Office will get back to you. They either stand by their original assessment, or they make an adjustment. Rather than ending my research there, I continued on with my questioning (the rep at the Assessor’s Office was fairly irritated with me by now). If you still disagree with the result, you can appeal it again. You simply write them back and tell them you still don’t agree. It is at this point that they will do “further” research into your case. After this, you will be sent another letter.

Still Don’t Agree?

And if you still don’t agree, you can pack up all of your proof and schedule a personal appearance in front of your county Board of Commissioners. There you can state your case in person and a final, non-disputable judgment will be rendered.

Is It Worth It?

At the very least, this IS worth it. I couldn’t uncover many statistics on the subject, but one set of statistics that I found showed that 26% of the time people were successful in their appeals, receiving an average reduction of 13% in their home values and an average savings of 19% on their property tax bills. The biggest thing you need to weigh is the cost of getting an appraisal done on your home versus what you might potentially save. Consult and even utilize a professional if you wish, but just remember that it’s all a risk. If you spend $1,000 and end up with nothing in savings, then obviously it wasn’t such a good idea. But if you genuinely feel like you have a case that could lead to substantial savings, I say go for it.

By David Bakke http://www.moneycrashers.com/how-to-appeal-the-property-tax-assessment-on-your-home/

This is good news for the TriState area. Toyota has been hurt by supplies from the earthquake in Japan and has already implemented work changes to adjust to a slower production cycle. We can see that things are picking up at Toyota again. - RT

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana Inc. plans to add 40 workers at its Princeton plant when full production resumes in June. The facility is currently running at 30 percent capacity due to a shortage of parts following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March. The automaker says all models built in Princeton will return to 100 percent production June 6.

PRINCETON, IND. – Because of an improved parts pipeline, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana announced on May 11 that full production would resume at the plant beginning on June 6. In May, the plant was running at approximately 30 percent capacity to conserve the parts supply.

With production returning to 100 percent, TMMI also announced the addition of 40 new Aerotek members to the production team. Aerotek provides variable staffing services to the Indiana plant.

Individuals interested applying for positions with Aerotek should visit its website at aerotekin.com.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana began production in Princeton, Ind., in 1998. Today, TMMI employs about 4,100 team members from the Tri-State. Inside the 4-million-square-foot automotive manufacturing facility, team members produce the Sequoia full-size sport utility vehicle, Sienna minivan and Highlander midsize sport utility vehicle. Toyota’s total investment in TMMI is $3.7 billion.

TMMI has paid more than $48 million in local property taxes since 1997 and donated more than $13 million since 1996 to local community organizations that support youth and education, health and human services, civic and community and arts and culture.

Source: Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana & InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report