While government criticism often centers on overspending, the Warren County Commission may have a strong counterargument after a presentation by EPM Representative Cory Harris.Last Thursday, Harris reported to the commission that it saved $97,815 since installing its new HVAC system at the county administration building.“This is one of the highest levels I’ve seen,” Harris said. “Typically, customers save 20 to 30 percent and they saved 50 percent here.”The county purchased the $144,441 system in 2014 and Harris believes the system will fully pay itself off in 2017. Harris said there are two reasons for the 50 percent reduction in utility costs.The first is the system’s ability to heat and cool individual rooms as opposed to keeping the entire building at a constant temperature.The second is the age of the building, which opened its doors in 2012. The county purchased a similar system for the courthouse in 2012 for $243,492 and have since saved $454,506.“Our total utility costs are less now for both buildings than what we were paying for one building,” Northern District Commissioner Dan Hampson said.Warren County Administration Building