Jackson to raise rates for security lighting

Jackson business and home owners who depend on the city to provide security lighting will soon see an increase on their electric bills.

The board of aldermen Monday night approved an ordinance that city officials say brings the rates up to date and will eliminate a $543 monthly deficit for energy costs, or $6,500 per year, as it relates to the energy needed to power security lights. The city also spends about $1,200 per month on maintenance of security lights.

The decision comes after a lengthy inventory and study by the city's electric department and two outside engineering firms, Fisher and Arnold Engineering and Schultz Engineering.

Before the inventory study, the city utility did not know what wattage was being used for each light, so it did not know what to charge for the service, said Don Schuette, director of electric utilities. As a result, he said, the electric department was losing money from security lights and the entire city of Jackson was paying for what the city was losing in private electrical use.

Security lights should not be confused with street lights, which are covered by the city. The new security light rates only apply to lights that were specifically requested by a property owner.

Trying to break evenDavid Reiminger, an alderman and business owner of Overhead Door, has two lights on his business property, but he was part of a unanimous vote to approve the rates.

"The city is losing money on every one out there," Reiminger said. "The city deserves the ability to break even."

Schuette said many businesses use the service to light their parking lots and buildings rather than have them tied to their own meter. The city is no longer going to offer this service, although it will continue to maintain the lights that are currently in use by businesses.

According to the information provided by the city, Kar Kleen, at 519 W. Main St., would stand to be hurt the most by the measure. The business uses 12 400-watt bulbs, meaning Chug Crites, the car wash owner, will have to pay at least $63 more per month for electricity usage.

Crites could not be reached for comment Monday.

Bruce Dockins, owner of McCombs Funeral Home, will see his electric bill go up $10.50 per month, but when explained of the situation, he said he didn't mind.

"I don't think I could object to that," Dockins said. "Anytime we have a light go out, they've always made themselves available. The city is doing a good job for us. I would support the effort, and I understand the position they're in."

366 such lights

Some customers could see their rates increase by as much as 80 percent, but most customers will see an increase between 29 and 35 percent.

According to the city's new figures, there are 366 security lights in Jackson. Almost 300 of those are 150-watt, high-pressure sodium lights, the kind that give off a yellow glow and the kind usually used to light up residential yards.

Those customers will see an increase of $1.75, $3.50 or $5.75 per month, depending on the type of pole the light is connected to.

With the new rates, the city expects to come out $500 in the black per month. The additional money will be used for maintenance, Schuette said.

The inventory uncovered many flaws in the rate system.

Schuette said the city was losing $166 per month on uncollected revenue. He also said that some residents might be paying for security lights when they shouldn't be.

"In some subdivisions, there are no street lights and some people may have paid to put their own lights on the streets," he said. "If that's the case, we need to know about it. There's a good possibility that those folks shouldn't be charged."

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635