A view of Turtle Pond in The Gardens at SIUE in winter.  The city of Edwardsville will be taking over the operations and maintenance of the gardens. (Photo courtesy of  Southern Illinois University Edwardsville)

Citizens’ board wants Ameren to double rate cut

Ameren Illinois has proposed cutting its electric rates, effect on Jan. 1, 2017, saving customers a total of $14.4 million next year.  However, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) of Illinois and a business group, Illinois Industrial Energy Consumers (IIEC), are calling for a rate decrease totaling nearly $30.

Delivery rates, which account for one third to one half of electric bills, are determined in Illinois under a formula, established in state law, that allows utilities to recover the cost of power grid improvements, but also requires utilities to pass along to consumers any savings that result from the upgrades.

“We are glad that Ameren Illinois has proposed a rate cut for its customers, but our expert testimony shows that customers deserve double the decrease,” CUB Executive Director David Kolata said. “We’re going to do everything we can to make sure customers get a fair rate cut.”

An analysis, commissioned by CUB and the industry group, finds the formula actually calls for a $29.9 million rate cut next year.  Analyst Michael Gorman, of the Missouri-based utility regulation consulting firm Brubaker & Associates, contends Ameren has inflated costs associated with power grid improvements. The analysis also questions Ameren Illinois’ request to recoup through rate adjustments costs for administrative services, performed by all of Ameren’s utilities, by a sister company.

CUB is a nonpartisan utility watchdog organization, created by the Illinois Legislature in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Based in Granite City, the IIEC represent 30 large industrial electricity users across the state.

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has jurisdiction over utility rates.

CUB’s web site (www.citizensutilityboard.org) is urging consumers to e-mail the ICC in support of a $30 million rate ct.

Edwardsville taking over Gardens at SIUE

The City of Edwardsville is set to take over operation and maintenance of the Gardens at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIE) Gardens — on at least a trial basis.  SIUE officials say state funding cutbacks have made it difficult for the university to properly maintain the park.

The Edwardsville Board of Aldermen last week, on a 3-2 vote, authorized Mayor Hal Patton to enter into a 10-year lease agreement for the property. The council also authorized an initial $40,000 lease payment covering fiscal year 2016-17.  The council is slated to review the lease annually.   Aldermen Tom Butts, Jeanette Mallon, and Art Risavy voted in favor of the lease, with aldermen Janet Stack and Craig Louer opposed.

Recognized by the Missouri Botanical Gardens as a “Signature Garden,” the Gardens at SIUE is a 35-acre public botanical garden on the university campus, featuring “spectacular horticulture, event spaces, areas for social gatherings and contemplative gardens, according to the SIEU website.  In addition to supporting the university’s research missions, the gardens provide “a place of beauty for the university community to share with the general public,” according to the website.

The master plan for the SIUE Gardens calls for the tract to be continually enhanced over time.

Tax and school funding questions placed on Madison County ballot.

Madison County voters, during the November general election, will be asked their opinions regarding state funding for local school districts and taxpayer notification of proposed tax increases.

The Madison County Board, Aug. 16, voted to place on the ballot non-binding referenda asking voters:

• If the State of Illinois should provide at least 50 percent of funding for school districts, and
• Whether taxing entities should be required to notify taxpayers of proposed tax increases by mail.

Illinois presently provides only about 28 percent of local school funding, according to Board Chairman Alan Dunstan, who proposed both ballot questions.  School districts generally rely on property taxes for the remainder of their funding.  

State law currently requires governmental entities, when seeking a tax increase in excess of 5 percent, to hold a public hearings and notify taxpayers by placing paid “public notices” in a local newspaper.  However, few people read the notices and attendance is generally low, Dunstan notes.

County official emphasize the referenda are non-binding and critics on the board note the power to implement either proposal would lie primarily with the state.

School boards split on consolidation

The East Alton Elementary School District board Aug. 16 unanimously approved a resolution opposing a consolidation with the Wood River-Hartford Elementary and East Alton-Wood River High School districts. The Wood River-Hartford board had already voted to oppose the consolidation. The high school district board has voted to support it.

A petition seeking to consolidate the three districts was received by the Office of the Regional Superintendent of Schools May 13.  However voters turned down a merger proposal in 2011 and again in 2015.

New breed of food truck may soon serve ‘food deserts’

Food trucks with gourmet meals may be fashionable in upscale areas, but a new breed of food truck — offering basic staples like meat and vegetables  — could soon become an even more important phenomenon in low-income neighborhood.  

The East-West Gateway Council of Government has approved Food Insecurity and Nutrition Incentive Grant, funding for a fleet of vehicles that will makes fresh meats and produce available in what nutritionists call “food deserts”,  low income areas without traditional grocery stores.  In such areas, residents may base their diets largely on the processed, high-fat-content foods available at convenience store or fast food outlets, according to project staff person Mary Grace Lewandowski .

The new fleet will serve all low-incomes neighborhoods in the St. Louis area, including Metro-East, planners emphasized at the council’s June meeting.  Schnucks, the St. Louis area’s largest grocery chain, closed its East St. Louis store earlier this year.

–Metro East Area News Briefs–