JACKSON PURCHASES DISCOUNTED ELECTRIC POWER

JACKSON -- The Jackson Board of Aldermen went bargain shopping Monday night and bought the city some discount power.

The city of Marceline in Linn County in the north central part of Missouri had ordered excess power from Union Electric and offered its excess to municipalities throughout the state -- at a discount. Jackson City Administrator Steve Wilson said the city decided to take Marceline up on its offer.

Aldermen approved the ordinance unanimously. The measure will save the city $35,000 in electric expenses over eight months this year. "It pays to discount shop," Wilson said.

The city is buying 2,000 kilowatt-hours of Marceline's power from UE at about $17 per kwh. That is $3 less than the usual $20-per-kwh the city usually pays for off-peak-hour electricity.

The amount represents about 10 percent of the city's power usage during that time. The benefit to consumers is not as easy to compute as the benefit to the city, Wilson said.

Customers will be charged $17 per kwh instead of $20 per kwh on about 10 percent of their electric bill. The actually dollar amount saved will depend on usage, Wilson said.

Despite the fact that Jackson has its own power plant, it still purchases the majority of its power from UE and the Sikeston power plant. Wilson said Jackson's power plant is incapable of providing even a half-percent of the city's power needs.

The plant is used during peak times, when energy usage is at its highest and most expensive. Wilson said power is purchased monthly in set amounts. Electricity is more expensive when the usage is expected to be highest.

Marceline had ordered more than it will use for the next eight months. Wilson said that city would have been charged regardless how much of its order it used. Marceline sold off its excess at a reduced price to save itself some expense.

Carl Tally, a former Jackson city administrator, is one of the people responsible for determining how much power is purchased by the city. He said the Jackson power plant is only used during the four summer months but has seen less action over the years.

The 20-megawatt, nine-generator power plant was constructed in 1908.

Tally said the city has been able to purchase energy cheaper than it can produce it. But the power plant serves a purpose because it gives the city options. He said the city gets a better rate on power from UE because of its ability to produce its own peak power.

"It has a value based on its ability to produce, thus you are able to buy at a lower rate," Tally said.

In other city business:

-- Aldermen moved within 60 days of bidding out construction projects in Grandview Acres subdivision when they established sewer districts, subdistricts and lateral sewer districts within the subdivision. Jackson Mayor Paul Sander said this brings the city within two months of soliciting bids, and he hopes groundbreaking can begin in the spring.

-- Aldermen approved a home day care center at 820 Amanda St., overriding the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission, which had voted 3-2 to deny the action.

Only Alderman Larry Cunningham opposed Tammy Vomund's request for a special use permit to expand her baby-sitting business from four children to six. A home day care center that watches over more than four children must be licensed in the city.

Vomund said she is certified with the state to care for that many children and presented numerous letters and supporters on her behalf. There was no opposition to the special use permit.

AGENDA

City HallMonday, Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m.Public hearings* Approved a special-use permit for a family home day care at 820 Amanda St. as submitted by Tammy Vomund.Action items* Authorized a lease on property at 198 Oak Hill Road.* Authorized an agreement relative to power sale and purchase agreement among Marceline, Mo., Jackson and the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission.* Amended the city code relating to sewer district special assessment fees not assessed in the original district.* Established Sewer District No. 2R.* Established subdistricts in Sewer District No. 2R.* Established Lateral Sewer District No. 2R1.* Established Sewer District No. 2R4.Street Committee* Payed $10,150 to Appleton Valley Farm Inc. as per contractual agreement on East Main Street Project.* Approved an application for original package 5 percent beer and Sunday sales license for Caseys General Store.* Authorized an agreement with Robert Adams.* Set a public hearing for Monday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m. to consider the proposed mobile home ordinance.