Nokomis council weighs electricity plan

NOKOMIS — The Nokomis City Council discussed a proposed electricity-supply agreement, approved engineering-related agreements for water and sewer work, and authorized bids for tree maintenance during its regular meeting Monday, Aug. 10.

Mayor Dylan Goldsmith and Commissioners Charlie O’Malley and Mike Glenn attended the meeting. Commissioners Tisha Morris and Scott Arkebauer were absent.

Electricity proposal discussed

Francis Premura and Sam Drvenkar of Integrity Energy presented a potential electricity-supply agreement for city operations.

Integrity Energy is a Cleveland-based energy consulting and brokerage firm that works with commercial customers and energy providers in multiple states. Representatives said the city is not under contract with an electricity provider outside Ameren.

The proposal would apply only to City of Nokomis accounts, not residential customers.

Representatives said city electric usage is estimated at between 600,000 and 700,000 kilowatt-hours. They presented a possible five-year electricity rate of 8.99 cents per kilowatt-hour through Direct Energy, compared with an Ameren rate of about 12 cents per kilowatt-hour.

They estimated the lower rate could save the city about $1,793 per month. The agreement could take effect immediately if approved.

Representatives also discussed natural gas service but said Nokomis is not a high-volume natural gas customer. As a result, the city would likely see little or no savings through a natural gas agreement. Any gas arrangement would not begin until May 2027.

No council action was taken on the electricity proposal.

Engineering agreements approved

Council members approved an agreement with Benton Engineering for administration of project activity delivery if the city receives a $30,000 infrastructure grant.

The work would involve water and sewer infrastructure projects, including work near Pine, Central, Union and Maple streets. Potential work includes short sewer extensions and manhole lining.

The city estimated the project could take about 12 months to complete. Officials projected about 200 labor hours at an average cost of $150 per hour.

Commissioners also renewed a contract with Farnsworth General Engineering for support on general engineering questions tied to city projects.

Permits and financial report

The council approved two building permits:

• A fence at 424 S. Oak St., provided the work does not interfere with the creek behind the property.
• A garage and fence project at 500 Lincoln St. The project includes replacing a one-car garage with a three-car garage. Officials said the fence location still needs clarification.

The city reported $104,798.37 in monthly revenue. Major revenue categories included:

• One-percent share of sales tax: $23,703.84
• Business district tax: $13,923.42
• Non-home-rule sales tax: $18,606.05
• Personal property tax: $1,156.92
• Grocery tax: $1,337.56
• Other revenue: $46,070.58

Commissioners approved $117,832 in bills.

Tree bids to be solicited, cameras tabled

The council voted to advertise for bids for tree trimming and removal work.

Officials also discussed security cameras and keypads but tabled the matter.

Council members discussed the future demolition of the old Witt Water Wells plant. No formal price estimate or action was set.

The council also discussed CivicPlus NextRequest, software intended to help manage Freedom of Information Act requests and redactions. The item remains under consideration as the city reviews potential codification options.

Nokomis City Council meetings are generally held on the second and fourth Monday of each month.

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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