In recent years, municipalities have begun adopting Green Building Ordinances to reduce operating expenses through decrease energy and water bills in public building, to promote economic and environmental health, and to set good example for the larger development community as well. On April 26, 2005, the City Council unanimously adopted the Green Building Ordinance. This Ordinance requires all City Building projects that equal or exceed $3 million in construction costs to meet a minimum Silver rating under the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, and be so certified by the USGBC.