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FAYETTEVILLE - Washington County is already doing what it can to save money by using energy more efficiently, and an energy audit is unlikely to find ways the county can save more money, said Wayne Blankenship, the county grants administrator.

The county energy committee appeared Tuesday to abandon - or at least postpone - an earlier effort to find a company to perform an energy audit. Several Quorum Court members at the energy committee said county staff members are capable of ensuring the county uses energy efficiently without the need for a costly audit.

Robyn Reed, the county's environmental affairs and recycling director, presented a list of steps taken to conserve energy and use energy more efficiently in the county's buildings. The list includes changes such as maintaining a constant temperature; installing sinks, showers and toilets that use less water; and replacing lighting with low-wattage fluorescent bulbs.

The committee also decided that they would not yet hire an employee to manage the county's energy and sustainability efforts, a position that would have been similar to Fayetteville's sustainability coordinator.

Steve Zega, the committee chairman, asked staff members if they needed an additional employee to help in their effort, and the staff members said "no."

County Judge Jerry Hunton told committee members they should look to the historic 1905 courthouse as a target in their effort to use energy efficiently. The building is in need of renovation and design could be incorporated that would increase the building's efficiency, he said.