ST. PAUL – In an effort to reduce operating costs at the Lac Bellevue hall, the Lac Bellevue Agricultural Society is becoming a member of the 8760 Group with the County of St. Paul to reduce electrical and natural gas costs.
“The [society] has been struggling with the rising costs of electrical and natural gas costs for the community hall and the recreation area located by Lac Bellevue,” reads information presented to County of St. Paul council at the March 28 County of St. Paul Public Works meeting.
The letter indicates the Ag Society was made aware of an opportunity to join the “8760 provider company.”
The 8760 Group is acquired through the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA), providing municipalities “the opportunity to lock in natural gas and electricity pricing,” according to Phyllis Corbiere, director of Corporate Services for the County of St. Paul, in a follow-up statement to Lakeland This Week after the public works meeting.
“Because the Lac Bellevue Ag Society carries insurance under the County’s umbrella, they have the opportunity to take advantage of this pricing as well,” explained Corbiere.
In the letter, Darren Tymofichuk, the Lac Bellevue Ag Society’s vice-president, stated that, “Upon reviewing their rates, it most likely would save the society hundreds of dollars on an annual basis if this change was made.”
County of St. Paul CAO Sheila Kitz explained that the County has its electricity consumption “locked in at $0.05741 per kilowatt hour.”
“This was purchased back in 2018 and is in effect until [Dec. 31, 2025],” she said, explaining the County purchased enough kilowatt hours “to cover our consumption at that time and were offered plus or minus 50 per cent of that number.”
Four other sites are included in the contract, including the Ashmont Fire Hall, Mallaig Fire Hall, Public Works Storage in Elk Point, and the Elk Point Regional Allied Arts facility, said Kitz. Adding the Lac Bellevue Ag Society to the contract will not affect the contracted price for electricity, heard council.
Last year, the County increased the volume of its natural gas from 4,134 to 6,573 GJs at a rate of $3.60 per GJs, and the yearly volumes are approximately 11,121 GJs. “Anything over the locked in volumes will be charged at the variable market rate,” said Kitz.
Lac Bellevue hall uses approximately 275 gigajoules (GJ) per year.
Coun. Ross Krekoski made a motion to approve including the Lac Bellevue Ag Society in the electricity and natural gas contract. The motion passed.
