City to join forces with county on gas, electric aggregation

Mount Vernon City Council agreed to team up with the Knox County Commissioners in an effort to save residents money on their utilities.

Council members passed two resolutions Monday, authorizing the commissioners to act as the purchasing agent and governmental aggregator for both electric and natural gas aggregation.

Mount Vernon will now join with Fredericktown and Knox County and allow Palmer Energy to broker a deal for gas and electric prices. The current city aggregation program will end in December and this new conglomeration would accept rates for at least 2027.

Once the agreement is made on the rates, residents will have the option to opt in or opt out of the program.

With the absence of two council members, legislation could not be given more than one of the three required readings. That meant the only other piece to pass was an ordinance that reclassified the exempt professional positions of city inspector, human resources director and public works director. It set minimum ($40.78 per hour) and maximum ($57.09) pay rates for all three of the positions. It also added annual longevity increments after five years of service.

Council gave second readings to several resolutions:

•Authorizing the safety-service director to enter into a contract with Advocates for Children to lease the property at 9 ½ E. High St. They also gave a first reading on a similar contract for 9 E. High St.

•Supported the abolition of the Clinton Water and Sewer District. The CWSD had reduced fees for debt repayment by $5 per month in December on two loans through the Ohio Water Development Authority. After discussion and some investigation, it was determined the CWSD already has enough money to pay off the loans and city officials believe the board is not needed.

First readings were given to resolutions:

•Delineating an overlay in relation to the proposed Arista Villas incentive districts within the city. The district would cover the proposed development of land on Vernonview Drive just north of Upland Terrace.

•Designating property on Blackberry Alley as an urban renewal area and authorize the safety-service director to select a firm to draft a renewal plan.

Council gave a second reading to an ordinance fixing the compensation, hours and benefits for administrative assistants to the mayor and safety-service director, as well as the recreation coordinator and five custodians.

Gave first readings on ordinances:

•Authorizing the execution and delivery of an application to add property to the Mount Vernon New Community Authority District, as well as one determining that the application is sufficient and complies with the Ohio Revised Code.

•Consenting to the execution of a Tax Increment Finance district agreement between the city and the Residences at Founders Grove for the benefit of a development at 12050 Upper Gilchrist Road.

•Fixing the number of hourly employees at the Mount Vernon Police Department. It would add one more police officer, making it 23 on the staff.

Council’s next meeting will be Monday, June 22, at 7:30 p.m. at Council Chambers.