FOLEY — The city of Foley is moving ahead with its Energy Savings Initiative.

According to Foley City Administrator Mike Thompson, plans are being finalized to begin the first steps to make the municipality more environmentally friendly.

“The last month has really been planning,” he said in a telephone interview.

The first step of those plans, which are being headed by Schneider Electric, will begin with water retrofitting, which includes installing low-flow fixtures such as toilets, faucets and shower heads, slated to begin at City Hall, the Community Development Department on Alston and the downtown Welcome Center in Foley. Thompson said that the projects are being finalized this week and work is expected to begin within the next six weeks. That includes securing sub-contractors.

Thompson explained that the selection of those first projects was in anticipation of the summer tourist season.

“We’re hopeing to get that resolved sooner rather than later,” he said.

The city’s contract with Schneider Electric provides that the municipality would pay $35,000 per year over the next 10 years for a number of upgrades to city facilities, part of which is anticipated to be funded with a grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. All of that work, which will be completed by the end of this end will go on to save the city of Foley a total of $4.2 million over time. The project includes a three-year contract in which Schneider will make installments and train city employees in the use and maintenance of new systems. While the cost and work seem substantial, Smith said the savings in utility costs should compensate for the initial expense.