Where are we now?
In October 2024, we reduced the impact of the full cost of area lighting services by spreading expenses over a two-year period, pending further approval and adoption. This approach allowed members affected by the lighting increase additional time to make necessary budgetary adjustments.
After announcing the original increase in spring 2024, the Board and staff implemented a phased approach, applying half of the projected increase in October 2024 and planning the remaining adjustment for October 2025. However, through an updated cost analysis and key operational modifications, the second half of the increase has been significantly reduced.
Key Operational Modifications include:
- Outage Response: Adjusted from a very aggressive 24-hour response time to a 7– 30-day timeframe, which is more in line with industry standards.
- Outage Identification: Members and residents will now be responsible for reporting outages, replacing the previous practice of multiple annual system patrols performed by SECO personnel, sometimes resulting in overtime costs.
- Fiberglass Pole Replacements: Reducing capital outlay by transitioning from systemwide changeouts to an ‘as-needed’ replacement approach.
- Fixture Offerings: Reducing inventory carrying costs by shifting from a broad range of fixture offerings for new requests to a limited selection.
As we have mentioned in recent months, there are potential grants that may help offset some of our costs. However, due to an executive order issued by the new White House administration, many of our grant applications are currently on hold. In the coming months, we expect to have an update regarding the status of these grants and our ability to offset some of the cost of our resiliency and hardening infrastructure plans, including the future cost of modernizing and maintaining our lighting program.
