BUCYRUS — Bucyrus resident and rental property owner Kathy Fuller came to the Bucyrus City Council meeting Tuesday evening to inquire about an aggregation agreement the city administration has made for the provider of natural gas for city residents.
“I just learned today that this choice was made for me by the city and I don’t like that,” Fuller said. “The choice should be mine to make of which natural gas supplier I go with.”
Mayor Jeff Reser explained the city has negotiated the best rate possible with Constellation for natural gas service and AEP Energy for electric service for all city residents.
“The market price is already at around .0456 right now and is supposed to go much higher. We have a rate of .0436 locked in for three years,” Reser said.
Reser said the city administration offered into the agreement with Constellation to lock in the lower price for natural gas for all city residents and the city does not make any money from the contract.
Reser later read safety-service director Jeff Wagner’s report to council that included more information about the contracts for electric and gas service. Wagner did not attend the council meeting.
“You will see the new gas rate of .0436 and the electric rate of .05498 on your December billing on your January statement,” Reser said.
In other business, Reser thanked Kroger for the $2.3 million investment in the community and noted that Wendy’s reopened Nov. 16.
Reser said the city leaf pick-up will continue throughout November and residents should put leaves in the tree lawn for pick-up, not in the street.
Council approved several pieces of legislation including appropriations, reductions and transfers, fire department bid authorization for a grant for breathing apparatus equipment, repeal/replacement of supervisor manpower, authorization for the city to continue with GovDeals online auctions, a bed tax agreement with the Bucyrus Visitors and Tourism Bureau, amendment of an FAA grant resolution and water distribution garage bid authorization.
Council committee meetings are Monday, Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. instead of Thursday due to Thanksgiving. The next council meeting is Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.