Negotiations begin with gas supplier

staff report

NILES — Council has approved an ordinance authorizing the negotiation of an agreement with a natural-gas supplier that could mean lower rates for Niles residents who choose to “opt-in.”

“We need to act quickly and take advantage of the market,” said First Ward Councilman David Wilkerson. “People could be paying as low as $10.50 for 1,000 cubic feet and that’s more than competitive.”

Wilkerson said the supplier, Vectren Source, Evansville, Ind., offers natural-gas aggregation programs to residents and small commercial operations; however, he emphasized residents will not be forced to sign-up with the company.

“They can either go with Vectren or choose somebody else,” Wilkerson said.

Negotiations are expected to begin immediately.

In another item, council approved a one-year extension for construction to begin on a $6.5 million elderly housing project on the site of the former Edison School. Under the original ordinance, construction was to have begun this year or the property would be returned to the city from the Community Improvement Corporation. According to the ordinance, the CIC has been delayed in obtaining financing.