Council schedules public hearing on natural gas aggregation ordinance ahead of ballot deadline

The London City Council reviewed Ordinance 140-26, which would authorize steps needed to place a natural gas aggregation question before city voters under Ohio Revised Code section 4929.26. Council members described the measure as the first procedural step to allow the city to aggregate residential natural-gas service and seek a brokered rate; the ordinance does not name a supplier or set a rate.

A council member explained, "This is only the choice to become an aggregate program for natural gas aggregation. It's not who the supplier would be, not what the rate would be." Council set a public hearing on the measure for July 2 so the city can meet the election authority's timing requirements for an August ballot placement.

Council discussed notice and procedural requirements for the public hearing and agreed staff must prepare the required paperwork and public notices. The item will return to council after the public hearing for any final decision on whether to place the question before voters.

Authority cited in the meeting: Ordinance language referenced Ohio Revised Code section 4929.26 as the enabling statute for government aggregation with opt-out provisions. The council did not take a final vote on the ordinance at this meeting; it remains on the agenda pending the public hearing and subsequent procedural steps.