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Wilson Energy presents power-contract options; consultants warn town takeover could create deficit and pressure property taxes
Summary
Wilson Energy consultants told Macclesfield officials some contract arrangements could cut customer bills but warned that assuming the town’s distribution grid would likely produce negative net revenue for the town and could require higher property taxes to cover losses.
Consultants from Wilson Energy — John Maclaga and Crystal Hill — presented options for the town’s power contract and compared several contract types, explaining NCEMPA’s role in regional wholesale supply.
Maclaga and Hill said certain contract forms might allow short-term customer savings, but they cautioned that direct ownership and operation of the distribution grid could place the town’s finances ‘‘in the negative’’ and would likely require offsets in local revenue, including possible increases in property taxes.
Commissioner Jason Taylor returned to the point later in the meeting, saying a town takeover creating a budget shortfall would probably have to be made up with higher property taxes and urging the board to weigh that risk when evaluating any proposal.
No formal action was taken; the presentation was informational and the board requested further evaluation of contract terms before considering any change to the town’s power arrangements.
