LaSalle council approves one-year electric agreement at negotiated 12¢ rate; residents can opt out

The LaSalle City Council approved a one-year electric service agreement with Home Field Energy for accounts enrolled in the city's aggregation program, adopting a negotiated rate of 12¢ per kilowatt-hour.

The finance committee recommended the contract, which city staff said will run for 12 months. A staff member explained the timing and opt-out process: "the negotiated rate that we negotiated is 12¢," and added that there will be one month where customers remain with Ameren before any transition to the city's negotiated rate. The staff member and other councilors emphasized that residents are not required to join and that customers have two months to opt out after initial enrollment; if they opt out after the enrollment window they would remain with Ameren for a year, staff said.

Council discussion focused on clarity for residents receiving mailed notices and on how the arrangement compares with Ameren's variable rate. A staff member said Ameren's current rate was about 11.3¢ (as quoted in the meeting), and councilors noted the negotiated rate is intended to provide price stability over the 12 months.

Supporters said the aggregation can save residents money over the long term; supporters on the finance committee moved the recommendation and the council approved it on a roll call vote. Councilors directed that communications to residents make opt-out deadlines and month-to-month transitions clear.

The measure passed with the motion recorded by the council; staff will implement enrollment notices and follow the committee's schedule for the switch to the negotiated rate.