Saint Bernard council adopts deal to pursue energy aggregation with Energy Alliance

The Village of Saint Bernard on May 22 voted unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 5, 2025, authorizing the mayor or a designee to execute an agreement with Energy Alliances Inc. to assist the village in pursuing energy aggregation.

Energy Alliances is described in a staff presentation as the organization that would assist the village “in becoming an energy aggregator” should a ballot initiative pass, and staff said the company’s services would be provided “basically, essentially free of charge.” The council moved to suspend the second and third readings and then adopted the resolution in the same meeting.

Mayor Jonathan Stutchell and council members said the initiative is intended to give residents a potential option for lower utility costs through collective purchasing. The finance committee previously discussed the initiative; Councilman Morton introduced the adoption motion and Councilman Culbertson seconded. The roll call on adoption recorded seven ayes and no nays.

The adoption authorizes execution of the agreement but does not itself place any measure on the ballot; any vote by residents would require separate action or a ballot referral (not enacted in this vote). Staff said further public outreach and administrative steps would follow to implement the aggregation effort if the village pursues the ballot path.

Council did not attach a timetable for a ballot measure in the resolution as read at the meeting; details about outreach, timing, and the exact products or rates Energy Alliances would offer were not specified in the record.