Du Quoin Explores Electric Discounts
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Deregulation of Illinois' utility industry has opened the door for newly-formed electricity re-sellers to approach large industry, towns and even homeowners about switching their purchase of electricity from Ameren to these new companies. Both the Illinois Commerce Commission and Ameren have a list of these companies on their web sites.
Ameren still owns the distribution system. The electricity and how it gets into your house doesn't change.
It's a utility shell game. But, large electrical users are seeing benefits. The Du Quoin City Council Monday heard from Ted Bailey of Direct Energy, the latest in a parade of agents representing these companies. He told the council that the city could see a substantial savings by purchasing electricity from his company. The city would continue to get a bill from Ameren for delivery of the electricity. He said Du Quoin currently uses about 1.6 million kilowatt hours of electrify to power its street lights and buildings. He said the city could save upwards of $9,578 a year on only four of the accounts he sampled. Mayor John Rednour told Bailey the council will consider the proposal over the next 30 days.
In other action, the council amended the 2009 city budget to reflect a $125,000 increase in health insurance premium costs. The city had been counting on a 12% increase, but instead was handed an 18.8% increase.
The council approved a roadblock application submitted by the Du Quoin Baseball, Inc. for March 28, 2009
The council again tabled Ordinance 2009-O01-04: An ordinance adopting a Revised Code of Ordinances for the City of Du Quoin. Mayor Rednour said revisions were taking too long and told his board to "finish this or forget it."
The council approved Ordinance 2009-O02-01: An ordinance amending the rules, regulations, restrictions on bicycles in the downtown area of Du Quoin-"downtown proper"-Final Approval
The council approved a resolution to hire the law firm of Reed, Heller, Mansfield and Gross to negotiate the upcoming Local Laborer's and Fraternal Order of Police contracts due to expire December 31, 2009.
The council approved $3,500 necessary to repair the ESDA building on Division Street
Approved funds from the revolving loan fund as a match for up to $1 million in loans being made available to area towns through the Champion communities program. The money will stay in escrow in the account until the program is fully funded and comes to fruition. Du Quoin's share would be one-third of an area-wide $50,000 match.
The council placed on Public Display a mutual aid agreement between the City of Du Quoin and the Village of Dowell Police Departments for police assistance when necessary.
The council approved a $3,000 stipend for the fireworks display on Friday, July 3rd.
The council voted to draft ordinances that would cover the health and safety of tattoo parlors in the community.