During Tuesday’s Poplarville Board of Aldermen meeting, the board heard from Chris Kimball, owner of Energy Savers, about the benefits of LED bulbs.
“When we go into businesses or cities, we go in and replace the lighting you already have with more efficient lighting, saving about 75 to 80 percent on your power bill,” Kimball told the board. “We’ve have some great feedback over the years and wanted to over that to the city.”
Kimball said they also sell LED lighting to Pearl River County.
One benefit of LED lighting is their life expectancy, which can range anywhere from 10 to 18 years.
“We can put together an audit and show you how you can save money throughout the city,” Kimball said. “I can show you hard copy numbers.”
One other method, Kimball said, is the installation of panel lights, which emit no heat. Bugs are also not attracted to LED lighting because there’s no UV light emission from LEDs.
Kimball said switching to LED lighting provides health benefits and reduces the risk of mercury poisoning and maladies, which can occur when the fluorescent lighting runs and buzzes. Kimball also offers a five-year warranty on the lighting
“We are able to offer the LEDs at no upfront costs,” Kimball said. “Instead of paying the power company, we can save you money. If you are saving $400 and leasing for $200, you still save $200. There are lots of ways to finance it.”
This past month, the electrical bill for the city was $8,658, Alderwoman Shirley Wiltshire said. However, that figure has been about $10,000 in the past, she said.
Poplarville Mayor Brad Necaise said he would like to see an audit of all city buildings and City Park and see how much it would cost.
The board took no action on the matter Tuesday.
In other action the board approved:
–– The removal of two Club car golf carts and a Ford New Holland 98-TS100 tractor from the public works’ inventory. The items will be listed for sale on the government website, Public Works Director Sam Hale said.
–– Travel for Necaise, Wiltshire and Hale to attend the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Local Public Agencies Project Certification on Oct. 19 in Hattiesburg. According to the board’s agenda, this program ensures LPAs receive training on state and federal regulations in order to receive state and federal transportation funding resources.
–– Travel for Poplarville Fire Chief Jonathan Head to attend an EMT refresher course in New Augusta, Mississippi from Feb. 23 to 25.
–– The appointment of Tommy Strahan to the Poplarville School District School board for a five-year term.
The next board meeting will be held on Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. in the boardroom at City Hall.