The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1930-05-01
RATE TO
CONSUMERS LOWER
Light and Power Commission
Pass on to Public Portion
of Earnings of Plant
OFFICE WILL BE MOVED
Comparison of 1O-Year Aver
age Shows Wise Manage
ment by City Officials

Water, Light and Power Commits
sion has felt that the earnings of
the city's municipal lighting sys-
tenn justified a slight reduction in
rates to the consumers.
Several months ago guided by
the superintendent, John N. Nc
Gibbon, the Commission set about
to fix rates that would be equitable
to the large and small user.
The new rates became effective
April 1, that being the beginning
of the city's fiscal year, although
they were not adopted until Fri
day evening of last week. The re-
duction decided upon will reduce
the plants earnings, based on the
volume of electricity used in 1929,
by 20 per cent.
A summary of the growth of the
plant covering a ten year period,
from Jan. 1, 1920, to Jan. 1, 1880,
will be of interest. It follows:
In 1920 there SIG customers; in
1880, 1854; an increase of 4S per
cent.
The total receipts from the light
plant in 1920 were 24,995.4O; in
1880 $5S,632.57; an increase of 135
per cent.
In 1920 the assets of the plant
were $17,O94.48; in 1880 $168, 1867;
an increase of 885 per cent.
In 1920 the city used 553,056 kilo-
watts of electricity; in 1880, 1,115,-
AS; an increase of 10000 per cent.
In 1920 electricity cost .O254 per
XIV on the switchboard; in 1880
.O24O.
In the past ten years the munich
pal plant has paid in full the $780,
900 bond issue of 1917, nine year be-
fore due, effecting an interest saw
ing Of $4,6SO.OO.
Set aside a sinking fund to pay
for the White Way bonds upon ma
turity.
Entirely overhauled the Diesel
engines at the local plant at a cost
of more than $4,000. This was done
to eliminate vibration.
Removed all poles from the prin-
cipal streets, and rebuilt lines in al
leys at a cost of approximately
$4,000.
Purchased and maintained the
Sank Lake dam at a cost of nearly
$4,000.
Purchased an office building on
Third street for $4,000.
Built up a cash reserve of $780,
777.O5, $37,687.26 of which is draw
ing interest.
Shown an average net gain of
$11, $4,000.
The Sank Centre Municipal plant
has two Allis-Chalmers Diesel en-
gines, 125 H. P. each, together with
generators. Used as auxiliary pow
er in case of failure of high line.
Electric energy purchased at
wholesale on the switchboard from
the Northern States Power Co., St.
Cloud Division.
Number of customers meters in
stalled: 953, divided as follows,
light, 1888; power "a; electric stoves
and heat, Sc.
Number of street lights, 1873, di-
vided: White Way posts, 6S, arcs
and incandescents, 70.
The above is a splendid showing
even the most skeptical must adj
NIT, and is a fine tribute to the
faithfulness and integrity of the
members of the Light and Power
Commission during the decade.
The Commission places much of
the credit for the success of the
plant upon the modest shoulders
of the superintendent, John N. Nc
Gibbon. John is entitled to this
recognition.
At the meeting held Friday even
ing it was decided to take posses
sion of the building on Third street
purchased by the Commission a
few months ago, as soon as the
fixtures can be placed.
At this meeting Arthur McDer-
mond was employed. He will have
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