Susan Meeker, Colusa County Sun Herald

Williams officials are looking to cash in on a California Energy Commission grant to help replace the aging heating and air conditioning unit at City Hall.

The City Council authorized City Administrator Chuck Bergson to apply for the $28,000 grant even though the city has not fully identified a funding plan for the remaining $112, 000 to do the work.

"There is no question that we need to replace it," Bergson said. "It will have to be done sooner or later."

Bergson said Wednesday he had just recently learned the money from the state was available and was up against an application deadline.

The total cost for the new system would be about $140,000, but it would eventually pay for itself by dramatically cutting heating and air conditioning costs, Bergson said.

The installation of a new equipment will also conserve fossil fuels and bring the building up to California 2008 building energy efficiency standards, he said.

Bergson said if the city received the grant, he would ask the City Council to commit $40,000, the fire department to commit $40,000 and the city utility fund to commit $30,000.

Councilwoman Pat Ash, who sits as the Williams Fire Protection Authority chair, said the fire department may not have the money within its budget to share in the cost of the air condition unit.

The City Council authorized Bergson to apply for the grant on the condition the fire department was not bound to the agreement until the Joint Powers Authority board had the opportunity to discuss its budget.

"The worst case scenario is that the city can't afford it and we send the money back," Mayor Angela Fulcher said.