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Seaford increases monthly security light charge to $11.50 to cover LED installation and maintenance costs
Summary
Council approved raising the monthly charge for city‑provided security lights from $6.31 to $11.50 effective with June consumption (July billing) to cover LED fixture replacement, installation and modest maintenance reserve.
The City of Seaford’s council voted Tuesday to raise the monthly charge for municipally provided security lights from $6.31 to $11.50 per month, effective with June consumption and July billing.
Bill Bennett, director of electric operations, presented an itemized explanation showing LED fixtures cost about $127.50 and photocell replacement averages about $28.56; estimated installation labor was $276.96 and electricity use about $4.95 per month based on an average 12 hours per night. Bennett proposed adding $2.70 per month to cover maintenance and future price increases and recommended the $11.50 monthly charge to recover costs.
Why it matters: Bennett said the city currently bills for about 50 security lights and that the fee increase would raise annual security‑light revenue from about $3,786 to about $6,900, an additional roughly $3,114 per year. The director described the change as aligning fees with estimated lifecycle costs for LED fixtures, photocells and maintenance.
Council action and implementation: Councilman Mike Bradley moved and Councilman Orlando Holland seconded the motion to approve the new fee; the measure passed unanimously. Staff said the revised fee schedule will be published and applied beginning with June usage and July bills.
Discussion vs. decision: Council approved a rate/fee change; the decision updates the fee and rate schedule for customer billing and is effective the next billing cycle identified by staff.
