MOUNT VERNON — After a recent meeting with Buckeye Energy Brokers Inc., the city of Mount Vernon has decided to forgo locking into a fixed natural gas rate and has opted to go with the flow of the market, Mayor Richard Mavis explained.

“Because gas rates have not gone up, we are not eager to lock into a price for winter. Last year we rode the flexible price gambling that gas prices were going to stay low and they did. According to recent information released this year, Columbia Gas said they think gas prices will stay fairly constant throughout this winter and not escalate to high rates. And after talking with Buckeye Energy, they think the same thing,” said Mavis.

More than 2,900 residents in Mount Vernon participate in the Columbia Gas aggregate program. “Through March 2011 the city of Mount Vernon will be riding a flexible rate determined by Columbia Gas’ rate,” said Mavis. “From the information we’ve been given, staying with the flexible rate should keep our prices at a rate that will be lower than if we had a fixed rate.”

For questions and concerns, or ways to opt in or opt out, call (800) 977-8374 for more information.

Construction at the Braddock Street bridge is coming to an end as paving is schedule for Monday and is expected to be opened for public use by the end of next week, said Mavis.

“The Wooster Road sidewalk project is also schedule to be done by the end of the month,” he said.

kenesha.beheler@mountvernonnews.com