Schuylkill commissioners are hoping an energy audit will shed some light on the county's electric bills.

Commissioners on Wednesday agreed to seek proposals to upgrade lighting and guarantee energy cost savings at the county's adult probation and 911 buildings.With Commissioner George Halcovage away at a county-related function, commissioners Gary J. Hess and Chairman Frank J. Staudenmeier agreed to seek the proposals."We're always looking for opportunities to be more energy efficient and save taxpayers' money," Staudenmeier said after a public meeting."While operating costs never go down, this is an opportunity to at least stabilize them," he said."We want to try to see where we can cut costs. In the past, we've cut power costs by studying ways to conserve energy," Hess said.He said the plan is to use the audit to "make the buildings more energy efficient in order to save money in the long run."County engineer Lisa Mahall said the proposals were for changing out lighting in the buildings, and that commissioners would require a contract that guarantees cost savings.The engineering/real estate department will accept the proposals until 11 a.m. Aug. 11.Commissioners will choose a company at their convenience.In 2008, the county embarked on an energy upgrade program that involved the courthouse, prison and county nursing home at Rest Haven.The project saved a total of $69,200 as of 2012.In 2013, the county obtained a $48,484 matching grant through the North Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance for energy efficient upgrades and retrofits to the 911, human services and adult probation buildings.