Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

City takes step toward new electric contract

The city of Prescott has taken the first step toward a new contract for electric service with the passing of a resolution during the June 18 meeting of the Prescott City Council. Councilmen considered a contract recommended by Prescott City Electric Consultant Henry Thompson. Thomson said the contract with SWEPCO is the best deal the city is likely to get. The city owns and operates the electric company that provides service to area residents. The city came under fire about a year ago with residents complaining of excessively-high electric bills. There were several public meetings that ended without anything really being resolved. During the June council meeting, Thompson said he believes the contract with SWEPCO to be the only option open to the city which currently buys power for resale from AECC. Thompson said AECC is not willing to continue that relationship and that all other options open to the city would result in less-desirable conditions. Ray Oxley, plant manager for Firestone Building Products Prescott facility, said he had met with Thompson prior to the council meeting. Oxley said that, if numbers presented by Thompson were accurate, he believes the contract will be favorable for Firestone. Oxley said one remaining concern is what will happen if Firestones demand is high. Thompson responded to a question from a council member by saying that he believes city customers wont see any increase over current bills. Quite honestly, its a very good deal for the City of Prescott, Thompson said.