MOUNT VERNON — The gas aggregate program in the city of Mount Vernon has worked well in the short amount of time it’s been in operation. Now, the city is looking at doing the same for electric bills.
Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis said council will look at the possibility of the aggregate program for electricity during its next meeting on April 25.
“We’ve looked at our prices, and locally, electric prices have been as reasonable as anywhere in Ohio. But, as the cost increases, we’ve looked at some opportunities to save money through the aggregate program,” Mavis said. “We’re asking council to allow the city to enter into an aggregate agreement for electricity.”
If council agrees, the matter would be put in the hands of the voters of Mount Vernon. The issue would be voted on in the November election and possibly put into place around April, the same as what happened two years ago with gas prices.
The program would allow the city to pool together the residents and small-business customers and negotiate the electric rates as a group and, hopefully, save residents money.
“The gas program has worked well because gas prices have stayed low. With electricity, residents will still have the option to be in or out of the program. It’s a similar opportunity, I think, to save on electric bills in the future,” Mavis said.
The city is also looking at a couple of different beautification ideas.
The first is an Arbor Day event sponsored by the Shade Tree Commission. The program will be Friday, May 6, at 2:45 p.m. at East Elementary School.
