Prescott City Council

The Prescott City Council met Monday (6-16).

Satara Williams provided the prayer. Mayor Oliver welcomed all. The pledge was recited.

Howard Austin moved to approve the minutes.  These were approved as was the financial report.

Larry Jones, Jr., electric operations manager, said SWEPCO called asking if the city would be interested in solar and offered the chance to put in solar up to 4 percent of the city’s usage, or around 414 kilowatt hours, which would be roughly enough for 40 houses. The current contract would have to be amended to do this.

Jones said it would benefit the city, but the city would need to invest as well. He said it would cost about $1 million before taxes for the solar panels, which would be about $500,000 after a rebate, but the city would also need to buy a battery for storage and this would cost $2 million before taxes and $1 million after the rebate. The battery, he said, would be charged throughout the day and used to furnish electricity during peak demand hours, normally 4-5 p.m. and this would save the city around $80,000 a month.

He pointed out a court case is the reason for SWEPCO allowing solar. He told the council a solar rep could come to the next council meeting and provide more information and better financial data. He added SWEPCO also offered a partnership opportunity where the city would pay half and SWEPCO would pay the rest, but it would require the city extending its current contract with the company. The partnership would be separate from the city going solar.

Jones said going solar would pay for itself in three or four years and the city could decide what to do with the savings afterwards. He said the city would also own the solar panels and battery and not be beholding to SWEPCO for them. He also said it would be best to buy the panels and battery instead of renting them.

Jessica Box reminded everyone there will be a Juneteenth celebration Thursday at the courthouse square where there will be a blood drive, snow cones, food vendors, a bounce house, face painting and the band boosters. The event starts at 11 a.m.  Curry said the monthly feed will be June 28.  The meeting then adjourned.