Lansdale plans electric ordinance changes to reduce repair costs and eliminate deposits

The Lansdale Borough Work Session on February 5, 2025, focused on several key initiatives, including updates on electric services and proposed changes to the borough's electric ordinance.

One of the primary discussions centered around the borough's electric service costs, which are projected not to exceed $58,000. Officials noted that this expense would be offset by utilizing power from the Lansdale solar panel array, eliminating fuel costs. Additionally, there is a potential state rebate of $7,500 that the borough plans to pursue, contingent on availability.

The meeting also addressed the preparation and advertisement of a new electric ordinance. This ordinance aims to clarify responsibilities regarding electrical service repairs. A recent outage at the Educational Services Building for North Penn highlighted the need for these changes. It was determined that the borough would only be responsible for repairs up to the street, shifting the burden of any repairs beyond that point to property owners. This adjustment is expected to alleviate financial strain on the borough, as the recent repair cost exceeded $10,000.

Another significant point discussed was the proposal to eliminate residential and commercial electric deposits. Borough officials indicated that managing these deposits has become administratively burdensome and that funds from uncashed checks often end up in state funds. The committee suggested that instead of holding deposits, these funds could be credited towards customers' electric bills or liquidated altogether, especially since new customers would not be charged deposits.

Overall, the meeting underscored Lansdale Borough's efforts to streamline electric service management and reduce costs for both the borough and its residents. Further steps will be taken to finalize the new ordinance and address the proposed changes regarding deposits.