Mount Vernon council reviews rising costs for health contract, energy program

The city of Mount Vernon found out that things are going to be more expensive in the near future.

Council heard about price increases in their aggregate energy program and environmental health contract with Knox Public Health during their meeting Monday.

Knox County Health Commissioner Zach Green explained to council that supplying an environmental health specialist will go up from about $67,000 to $93,000. The city has contracted with KPH on the services and use them nearly every day.

Mount Vernon Safety-Service Director Tanner Salyers said there are many instances where the city needs those services, especially with code enforcement issues.

Green explained if the city were to have it own program, they would have to have at least three employees, and the cost would be significantly higher than contracting with KPH.

“There’s no need to duplicate services. The return on investment for taxpayers is, without a doubt, a good partnership,” Green said.

The other increase will be from electric aggregation. The aggregate program is a citywide program where residents band together to get a better rate for utilities.

The aggregate contract expires after the December bill for residents, and the city needs to sign a new contract. Mark Fry, president of Palmer Energy, spoke to council about the new contract and the fact rates were much higher now than they were five years ago when the last contract was signed.

Fry said the rate won’t be established until the contract is signed but estimated it could cost residents about $30-$40 more a month than they were paying with the current contract. Because council did not have enough members present to pass emergency legislation, that resolution received a first reading.

Council also heard from Mount Vernon Fire Chief Chad Christopher on a possible new position of Community Risk Reduction Inspector and Educator. He said that employee would be responsible for the fire department’s annual business inspections, among other duties. That ordinance received a first reading.

The only legislation to be passed by council was a resolution authorizing the safety-service director to submit a co-application with Clinton Township to the Ohio Public Works Commission Capital Improvement Program for funding the Crystal Avenue water main extension project.

Council will hold a special meeting Monday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. for the consideration of several pieces of legislation.