Title
Green Local Government Resolution (B)
The Florida Green Building Council, Inc. (FGBC) is a non-profit corporation whose primary mission is to develop and maintain Green designation standards for Florida and to promote cost-effective, sustainable environmental improvements.
Explanation
In addition to certification standards for Green homes, commercial buildings, high rises, and developments, the FGBC now certifies Green Local Governments for outstanding environmental stewardship. The FGBC expects that "certified green city and county governments will not only gain recognition and publicity, but also function in a more efficient manner through better internal communication, cost reductions, and effective risk and asset management." This is the premier local government certification process, and the only one that is specifically developed for the Florida context.
The City of Gainesville participated in pilot testing of the standard in 2002 and since this time, some level of certification (from pre-application to full certification) has been achieved by 17 Florida cities and counties, and at least 44 more have passed resolutions proclaiming their intent to become a Green Local Government. Certification involves meeting and documenting criteria from a variety of Departments, including GRU, Communications/Marketing, Recreation and Parks, Fire Rescue, Public Works, Information Technology, Planning and Development Services, GPD, Economic Development, and Human Resources. Staff has collected input regarding the current level of participation in various "green" activities, and has found that each department of General Government and GRU has already implemented some portion of the criteria listed in the FGBC Green Local Government standard. Staff believes that pursuing the certification will help to structure the response of various departments to the City's energy efficiency needs, as well as provide excellent marketing potential.
In order to pursue...
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