A free assessment of the city’s buildings and utility systems by a Fortune 100 company will be a step toward the City of Vicksburg operating more efficiently, Mayor Paul Winfield said Tuesday.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen agreed unanimously to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls Inc. after hearing a presentation by a company representative.

Johnson Controls, which specializes in manufacturing interior auto parts and car batteries and implementing building efficiency, will study the city’s infrastructures to identify potential savings through energy-efficient improvements.

“What they’re offering us is a unique opportunity,” Winfield said during the board’s regular meeting. “This is a multibillion-dollar company that is volunteering to come into the City of Vicksburg and look at our systems — our water systems, our sewer systems, our electrical systems — and do an analysis of our buildings to provide efficiency, savings.”

“As long as it’s free, that’s fine,” South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman said.

Winfield said the results will provide a quantified picture of the city’s infrastructure.

“When they find areas where we’re losing money or can be more efficient,” he said, “they’re going to quantify the actual dollar amount and then we’ll look at potential improvements. Based on those potential cost-savings, we’re able to go and do improvements to our community and systems. It does not go against our debt service, so we don’t have to go borrow money.”

“It’s a self-funded way to improve your infrastructure, buildings, waste water treatment facility, water treatment facility,” said Audrey George of Johnson Controls, which has manufacturing plants in Madison and Hattiesburg.

During the assessment, Johnson Controls will have access to designated city facilities and copies or documents of city utility data.

After the assessment and any cost-saving proposals, Johnson Controls, also referred to as an energy-saving company, or ESCO, will draft a performance contract, which is a partnership with the city to implement the energy efficiency and infrastructure improvement projects.

The city will be free to choose another ESCO after the proposals by Johnson Controls.

Improvement solutions might include installation of smart meters or smart grids, water leak detection, installation of LED traffic and street lights or using renewable energy.

The performance contract would guarantee operational savings to pay for the improvements. The savings would be used to pay the company over a maximum of a 15-year period.

“Based upon their assessment, if we’re not able to achieve that level of savings, (Johnson Controls) will cut us a check,” Winfield said, adding that the company has a proven track record for its guarantees.

Johnson Controls has previously contracted with other municipalities including the City of Gulfport and the City of Jackson, as well as with Mississippi Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Rankin County Board of Supervisors, Columbus Air Force Base and such school districts and colleges as Hinds Community College.