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Decatur County board approves joining gas-buying consortium after January price spike
Summary
Following a winter price spike that the district said increased gas costs by about $70,000 per month, the board approved an interlocal agreement to join the East Central Indiana Natural Gas Power Group to seek lower, more stable pricing and to begin disengaging from the current supplier on contract expiration.
The Decatur County Community Schools board voted to join an East Central Indiana natural-gas purchasing consortium after administrators described an unusually large price spike earlier in the year.
Speaker 4 described January market disruptions that produced a steep increase in gas bills—an example figure cited in the discussion was roughly $70,000 in additional monthly cost during the event. The presenter told the board the consortium, which includes about 80 school corporations, had evaluated the district’s usage and estimated the district might have saved about $151,000 over five years if it had been enrolled earlier.
The board approved an interlocal agreement authorizing the consortium to represent the district in negotiations with the current supplier and to pursue a separation agreement; the district’s contract with Constellation runs through Dec. 1, 2026, and the presenter said the consortium would take effect on that date if the transition proceeds as planned. The motion to approve the interlocal agreement carried 7-0.
Administrators said the consortium would negotiate pricing and handle paperwork as the district transitions away from its current supplier; they cautioned that year-to-year results can vary but said the cooperative generally offers more stable, lower pricing over the long term.
The board did not direct immediate budget changes at the meeting; staff were authorized to begin the process of disengaging from the incumbent supplier and to work with the consortium on separation arrangements.
