Palos Park council approves 36‑month fixed electricity deal with Smartest Energy

Palos Park’s Village Council voted July 13 to authorize a 36‑month fixed, all‑in electric supply agreement with Smartest Energy at a rate of $0.0777 per kilowatt‑hour, effective Jan. 1, 2027, when the village’s current contract with Shell Energy expires.

Village Manager Smith told the council that Palos Park participates in Illinois’ deregulated retail supply market to reduce operating costs and that the village uses Priority Power as its energy consultant. Smith said the village’s business accounts include 17 accounts — with the main pumping station representing roughly half of the municipality’s electricity consumption — and that locking in an all‑in rate now reduces the village’s exposure to winter price spikes and wholesale market volatility.

Smith summarized the procurement evaluation, noting competitive proposals from Hudson Energy, Shell Energy and Smartest Energy; the Smartest Energy 36‑month, fixed all‑in product offered the lowest rate among proposals and the greatest projected cumulative savings, he said. Smith presented example month‑to‑month comparisons and told the council that the village’s current fixed energy‑only contract produced a May 2026 supply component of about $0.49910 per kilowatt‑hour for a high‑use pumping station, compared with the proposed fixed all‑in rate of $0.0777 per kilowatt‑hour.

Commissioner Wade moved to authorize the agreement; Commissioner Vincent seconded. The clerk took a roll call and the motion passed unanimously.

The authorization directs the village manager to execute the agreement; council members and staff said the contract would not take effect until the current Shell Energy agreement expires in January 2027. Manager Smith said the contract documents and the consultant’s pricing memo are included in the meeting packet.