APPLICATIONS TO SERVE ON THE FIRE AUTHORITY BOARD

At the City Council Meeting on Monday, May 7th the City Council approved the Proposed Joint Fire and Emergency Services Agreement with Portland and Danby Townships. The City will be accepting applications for those interested in representing the City of Portland on the Fire Authority Board. Please click here for an application. Please return it to the City Clerk at City Hall.

POLICE OFFICER POSITION AVAILABLE

The City of Portland is hiring one full-time Police Officer position. The anticipated start date for the position is July 1, 2012. The Portland Police Department is a full service department serving a 3900 person community located 20 miles west of Lansing. For more information please click here.

COOPERATION, COLLABORATION AND CONSOLIDATION
OF SERVICES PLAN

Pursuant to and in compliance with Public Act 63 of 2011 Category 2 of the State of Michigan Economic Vitality Incentive Program the Cooperation, Collaboration and Consolidation of Services Plan is available here.

Energy Smart Efficiency Programs

Smart Strips

You could earn a $10 rebate for purchasing an energy-saving intelligent surge protector or “Smart Strip,” which stops unused electrical devices from drawing energy. For more information about this rebate, call 877.NRG.SAV1.

Dehumidifiers & Room Air Conditioners

You can earn a $15 rebate for purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified dehumidifier or room air conditioner, which can use up to 15 percent less energy! Simply call 877.NRG.SAV1 or visit www.MIenergysmart.com and download the residential HVAC application.

Appliance Recycling

You could earn a $30 rebate and save up to $150 on your energy bill when you replace your refrigerator with a newer ENERGY STAR qualified model. We’ll even pick up the old one and recycle it for FREE. Call 877.270.3519 to schedule your appointment. Or you can visit JACOinc.net and select “Recycle Now” under “Solutions for Consumers.”

Central AC

Replace your old central air conditioning system with a new high efficiency system and you could earn a $150 incentive for a new unit with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) of 16, a $125 incentive for a new SEER 15 unit, or a $75 incentive for a new SEER 14 unit. Simply call 877.NRG.SAV1 or visit www.MIenergysmart.com and download the residential HVAC application.

Furnaces

You can earn a $150 incentive for replacing your furnace with an energy efficient model that includes an ECM (Electronically Commutated Motor). Call 877.NRG.SAV1 for more information or visit www.MIenergysmart.com and download the residential HVAC application.

CFL Light Bulbs

The City will be distributing compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's) again this summer. Compared to incandescent lamps, CFL's can last up to 10 times longer, use about one-fourth the energy, and produce 90% less heat, while producing more light per watt.

Cost Comparisons between CFLs and Incandescents
	25-Watt Compact Fluorescent	100-Watt Incandescent
Cost of Lamps	$3.40	$0.60
Lamp Life	1,667 days (4.5 years)	167 days
Annual Energy Cost	$6	$25
Lamps Replaced in 4.5 years	0	10
Total Cost	$29	$134
Savings Over Lamp Life	$105	0

If you pick up a free CFL from the City and replace an incandescent lamp you could save $108.40 for the cost of the lamp + energy savings over the 4.5 year lamp life!

The City also has Energy Smart Programs that provide energy efficiency incentives for businesses. Businesses that purchase and install qualifying equipment can receive an energy efficiency incentive. Businesses must receive written approval before project installation to be eligible for the incentive. For more information and an application please go to www.MIenergysmart.com.

All of these incentives offered are for City of Portland electric customers only.

City Income Tax and Streets

The City of Portland is one of 22 Michigan Cities that has an Income Tax. In Portland these funds are used for paving, curb and gutter, sidewalks, street lights, and related water and sewer infrastructure improvements.

For more information on the City Income Tax click here.
For more information on street improvements funded with income tax money in the City of Portland and results from the PASER study done on City street conditions please click here.
For answers to frequently asked questions such as how income tax funds are used and other miscellaneous income tax facts click here.

Receive the City Newsletter via Email

If you are interested in staying up to date on recent City activities and recreational opportunities being offered please click here and send us an email to be added to the mailing list.

MSHDA Offers Low-Cost Loans for Home Alternative Energy Improvements

Qualified residents can increase energy efficiency and lower utility bills

Income eligible Michigan homeowners may now borrow up to $50,000 from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Property Improvement Program (PIP) to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes. The program has added alternative energy improvements such as geothermal furnaces, solar water heating systems and windmills to a long list of traditional improvements including insulation, upgraded windows, indoor fireplaces, permanently installed radiators, solar rooms permanently installed for use as a sunroom or family room and energy-efficient appliances.

Income eligible homeowners may have household incomes of up to $65,000 and can borrow up to $25,000 with no equity and up to $50,000 with equity. Landlords with eligible rent limits can borrow up to $100,000 or $25,000 per rental unit. Interest rates are reasonable at 4 percent, 6 percent, or 8 percent depending on income, not the market. Loans can be amortized up to 20 years to make payments affordable.

For more information about PIP, visit the MSHDA Web site at www.michigan.gov/mshda and click on Home Improvement, or call 517-373-8017. The toll-free number for the hearing impaired is 800-382-4568.