Published: May 18, 2008 06:24 pm            

New Summerfield searches for best deal on natural gas

By Cristin Ross

cross@jacksonvilleprogress.com

New Summerfield City Council have given Mayor Dan Stallings authority to negotiate the best natural gas price he can find in an effort to give the city’s residents a little relief on at least one utility bill.

Council members voted to allow Stallings to sign a contract with a natural gas supplier at his discretion during the regular council meeting held Tuesday.

“We can’t control the price of natural gas as it comes out of the Houston ship channel, but we can control what we have to pay a supplier,” Stalling said Thursday. “It’s not a done deal and I’m trying to negotiate for the best price possible, since we have that option.”

The city currently buys natural gas from Millennium Midstream Partners, whose contract was discussed on Tuesday. The company has offered a three-year option to the city.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, Stallings updated the council on the city’s ongoing water, wastewater and natural gas systems upgrades.

“We’re still making upgrades to wells 1 and 2, but we’re about to go online with well 2,” Stallings said.

Another project the city will start soon is the installation of a new 6-inch water line from the intersection of Marigold Street and U.S. Highway 79, near Davis Plant Farm, east for one-and-a-half miles to the Hall property.

“We’re replacing the existing 2-inch line with 6-inches,” Stallings said. “That will enhance the water pressure to all the residences on that side of town.”

The project will cost about $50,000.

Other items the council approved on Tuesday include:

• a 2 percent franchise agreement on non-city owned utility companies; and

• an amendment to the city’s housing ordinance concerning septic systems.

The New Summerfield City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. every second Tuesday of the month at New Summerfield City Hall on State Highway 110. The public is welcome.

        

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