There apparently will be even higher electric prices next summer as the aggregation rate approved by the Salem City Council Monday night will be eleven percent higher than last year. Goode Energy Represent Juvier Barious says the state’s shortage of power on peak usage days will once again drive rates higher for electric customers. A mailing in two to three weeks will notify Salem residents of the new rate under the aggregation program. They will have a choice to stay with the program designed to provide lower rates or seek their option for electric service. Salem selected only a one-year bid on electric rates in hopes it might start coming down. Barious said he would try and set up community meetings to explain the rise in electric prices.
The Salem City Council approved joining more than 100 other communities with their own gas systems through a program offered by USDI that is expected to cut purchase costs by 25 to 35 cents per therm. President Darren Houchin noted in a recent year the city would have saved $60,000 to $70,000 with use of the program. He noted if the city can’t utilize its full allotment of gas, it can be moved to a different member.
A professional services agreement was approved with Milano and Grunloh Engineers to design and provide construction engineering services to this year’s water system improvements. They include 4,300 lineal feet of water mains, hydrants, meters and all related costs on Illinois Avenue north of Boone Street as well as Meadow Lane, Deer Path and Bryan Lane. The existing lines had nine breaks in the recent past due to their age. The cost of the two contracts would total just over $96,000. The goal is to complete the work this year.
The council approved the resignation of Andrew Strong as Emergency Management Agency Coordinator and Shane Mansker as Assistant Director. The two will be among those heading the new combined Marion County-Salem-Centralia EMA organization that is still in the formaton stage. The council named Deputy Police Chief Tyler Rose and Public Works Director Travis Sanders as their replacements. Mayor Nic Farley says they will only serve as liasons to the county EMA and will have no additional work loads. The mayor also hopes they can still seek grant dollars through EMA.
The city council has decided not to charge fees for use of debit or credit cards at the Salem Aquatic Center. City staff felt potential irritation among aquatic center users for total savings of $3,500 was not worth it.
The first reading of the city budget for the fiscal year beginning May first was approved without any changes.
