City considers ways to shave energy use

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN DON RATZLAFF
By volunteering to reduce electrical usage on a few designated “peak days,” Hillsboro residents could save on their utility bills for the rest of the year.

But how do you let residents know on short notice which days are designated as peak days?

That was the challenge the Hillsboro City Council discussed May 2 with its energy consultant, Scott Shreve of EMG Inc.

Shreve was hired in 2005 to help the city control energy costs, particularly with the probability of a significant rate increase after the city’s contract with Westar Energy ends in 2007.

Shreve said the city could save significantly on its utility bills for an entire year if it can reduce its usage on about 15 or so of the hottest “peak” days.

Energy companies use peak days as the basis for figuring energy rates for the ensuing year.

Shreve said his review of usage practices indicate the city itself could reduce its peak usage this summer by 200 kilowatts by carefully managing its own heavy-use enterprises, including the water-treatment plant and wastewater-treatment plant. Hitting that target could save at least $12,000 in 2007.

A saving of an additional 300 kilowatts could be achieved, Shreve said, through voluntary participation by households and large clients such as USD 410, Tabor College, Park Village, Circle D Corp. and Hillsboro Community Medical Center.

Shreve said every 100 kilowatts “shaved” this year could save about $6,400. Next year, when energy costs are expected to increase, shaving 100 kilowatts could save $8,000 to $10,000.

The unresolved challenge is how to effectively notify residents on short notice when peak-use days are anticipated. Ideas suggested and rejected included sounding a siren or using public-access channels on the cable television system.

Hillsboro Heights prices

The council approved a proposal from Mayor Delores Dalke to raise the price of remaining commercial lots in Hillsboro Heights.

Lots had been priced from $0.28 to $0.46 per square foot, depending on their location within the development.

The new price range will be $0.56 to $0.92 per square foot. Utilities, streets and other improvements are in place at no additional cost to buyers.

“The reasoning for this is that the area is now well established and the businesses that are there are an incentive for additional businesses to locate,” Dalke said.

“In addition, the current highway maps show the increase in traffic at this location, which is also a draw for this area.

“I believe that we have something to offer to prospects and need to let them know the value of this property,” she added.

The price of a lot can be negotiated downward if necessary, Dalke said, although that hasn’t been required to this point.

Other business

In other matters, the council:

approved the following pay estimates related to the family aquatic center-$395,347 to Carrother’s Construction and a total of $10,685 to Burbach Aquatics for four invoices.

approved the following pay estimates for water-plant improvements-$355,660 to Utility Contractors, $20,328 to EBH Engineers, $1,265 to Clearwater Equipment and $2,120 to USA Bluebook.

approved mayoral proclamations designating May 7-12 as “National Hospital Week” and May 14-20 as “National Nursing Home Week.”

approved a modified lease agreement already approved by the Marion County Fair Association regarding use of the fairgrounds arena. The new lease ensures now lists the city among the entities insured in case of accidents.

recessed briefly into a Public Building Commission meeting to elect Councilor Matt Hiebert as chairman of that body.

after meeting in executive session, approved a recommendation to extend City Administrator Steve Garrett’s employment contract to October, which is his employment anniversary. The contract will be amended to include “expectations we have of an administrator,” Dalke said.

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