Council approves 7-year street-lighting contract with phased rate increases

Riverside City Council approved a seven-year street-lighting contract Monday following a staff presentation and public question about costs.

The city presented a joint bid arrangement with the Miami Valley Technology and Communications Group (Miami Valley Lighting) that covers 43 street-lighting districts. City staff summarized the contract's scheduled rate adjustments: a 5.5% retroactive increase applied to Jan. 1, 2026, followed by a 4% increase in 2027, 3.25% in 2028 and 2.75% increases in 2029 through 2032. The manager said the contract is set up to allow additions or deletions of districts to accommodate future development.

During public comment, resident Joe Lemke asked whether additions or deletions (and state-route lighting responsibilities) would change the city's costs. City staff member Beth replied, "there are no current additions or deletions that I'm aware of," and noted that when Riverside became a city it inherited responsibility for lighting on certain state routes.

Council adopted Resolution 26-R-30976 by voice vote to execute the contract. No roll-call tally was recorded on the public record during the meeting.

The contract aims to provide a predictable rate path for utilities budgeting while preserving flexibility to fold new developments into the joint bid, staff said.