If John Coleman needed any extra motivation as the city of Fayetteville’s first sustainability director, he got it from his higher-ups.

Coleman was hired by Mayor Dan Coody in 2007 on the condition that he save the city enough money to cover his salary. With monthly savings from retrofitted operations aimed at reducing waste and energy consumption in addition to the $793,000 he’s secured in federal and foundation grants in 2009 alone, it’s no wonder Mayor Lioneld Jordan keeps him on staff.

“For the first two years I was really focused on sustaining the level of savings I was rousing — trying to prove my worth. And they still want me working on that, but grant writing is now my principal role,” Coleman said. “And it’s going to expand.” Still, he hasn’t stopped admonishing city staff to turn off idling lights, computers and copiers. He even successfully advocated for the new District Court building to be the city’s first certified LEED Silver-Rated facility.

Saving City Money

His efforts, along with those of the city leaders on his sustainability team, also extend into the community. For example, his team partnered with the University of Arkansas’ Students in Free Enterprise to improve the energy efficiency of Fayetteville Housing Authority dwellings and reduce utility costs for inhabitants by installing compact fluorescent light bulbs in every dwelling.

To date, the students are responsible for the installation of 1,400 bulbs in 252 apartments, which could potentially save the city $69,000 over the life of the bulbs.

In 2010, Coleman plans to plans to use the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant money he snagged for the city to make more energy improvements on government buildings; provide energy-efficiency upgrades for local non-profits through loans that will be repaid using the energy savings; install LED lights on trails, sidewalks and street lights; fit solar panels to the new District Court building; and extend the Environmental Action Committee Watershed Luncheons through May 2010 for business and community leaders.

If 2010 is anything like 2009, Coleman and Fayetteville are bound for continued success and notoriety (the Natural Resources Defense Council named Fayetteville No. 6 in their 2009 “Smarter Cities” ranking).

But Coleman won’t take the credit.

“I don’t do things on my own,” he said. “Every city department contributed to the changes and the savings.”