LAHARPE LaHarpe soon will buy its electricity through the Kansas Municipal Energy Association, a move that could save the community as much as $96,000 a year.
City Council members approved the agreement Wednesday.
The new pact will go into effect in 2020 and run through 2027.
According to a cost study presented to Council members, the city would have paid $204,000 to buy electricity through KMEA last year, compared to the $300,000 paid to Westar.
Council members discussed options that will come from the cheaper energy.
Councilman Danny Ware Jr. noted that, while customers would probably favor seeing their bills lowered immediately, LaHarpe might be in better position to offer breaks down the road.
If rates stay the same for customers, the city could use the excess to pay off the bonds LaHarpe acquired for its recently completed electric upgrade, Ware noted.
That, in turn, could allow the city to lower prices more substantially if the bond is paid off earlier, Ware surmised.
Council members agreed the topic needed further investigation.
LAHARPE CITY Hall is about to get a bit brighter inside.
Council members approved a bid from Hoffmeier Electric to replace the old lights in the buildings gymnasium, fitness center, restrooms and entryway at a cost of $5,415, the lowest of three bids received. The city will pay Hoffmeier an additional $1,759 to replace lights in City Halls new meeting room, and outside the front door.
A grant secured from the Health Forward Foundation (formerly the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City) will pay for about $6,500. The additional $600 will be paid by the city, $300 coming from the sale of an old city truck, and the rest out of Laharpes parks fund.
The Health Forward Foundation grant was secured on LaHarpes behalf last October by Thrive Allen County.
