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By Curtis Galbraith
City Hall

City council approves deal with ATCO on streetlights

Jun 27, 2023 | 6:00 AM

City council has approved a new proposal from ATCO regarding streetlights.

The deal will see ATCO take over 4,344 lights; meaning it will now be responsible for things like maintenance, energy and repairs.

ATCO will also give the City $4,374,676.45.

The City will use just over $95,468 to convert 179 lights to LED and another $522,000 to catch up on repairs, some of which also includes converting more than 5,000 other lights to LED. This work will be done by ATCO.

Mayor Jackie Clayton says council sees a long-term opportunity in placing lights.

“ATCO became a partner with us. There is a significant financial consideration in the transition of the lights.”

“Changing the relationship and the partnership with ATCO is something that financially makes sense. It’s good for the future of Grande Prairie in heading to an LED light service.”

Clayton says managing streetlights is ATCO’s business and this should free up city resources for other things.

The deal is expected to save the city money over the next 25 years.

City Chief Financial Officer Danielle Whiteway says the money coming from ATCO is a big part of that.

“This is their area of expertise. They’re able to get some of the backlog of repair done a lot more efficiently and a lot more effectively and, therefore, will allow us some cost savings as well.”

Whiteway says the money to the City makes up for the cost they incurred installing the lights.

“Theoretically, that $4.3 million is meant to reimburse for past costs to have installations done of those streetlights.”

The money not used on LED conversions and repairs, will go into a city reserve fund.

by Curtis Galbraith