Councilors raised questions about the performance and accounting of the city’s solar arrangement. One member said public expectations had cited 19–26% savings and expressed skepticism that the advertised figures equate to realized reductions on municipal bills.
"I don't think the truth is gonna be pretty, because everyone was yakking about a 19 to 26% savings... I think those are sales figures, not real figures," Speaker 5 said, urging staff to produce actual reconciliations.
Nate said staff would track solar‑related credits on electric bills from an agreed start date and had requested reconciliation data from the solar vendor. Finance staff noted the contract obligates the company to provide reconciliation data, but compilation by the vendor could take a few months; the committee asked for an update at a January finance meeting.
The committee directed finance to produce both (1) reconciliation documentation from the vendor and (2) a two‑month closeout of November–December billing so elected members can see realized credits and whether projected savings materialized.