London council approves ordinance to ask voters about natural-gas aggregation

The London City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 140-26, directing the Madison County Board of Elections to place an opt-out natural-gas aggregation question before city voters.

Councilwoman Shannon Trainer, the ordinance sponsor, said the measure would restart the city's effort to seek collective gas purchasing on behalf of residents and businesses. "This is just submitting the question of whether or not we should be packaged and be looking at aggregation to the electorate for vote," Trainer said during the meeting.

Council discussion noted the proposal contains an opt-out provision. A council member noted residents "are always free to search for your own supplier," underscoring that the program would not force participation.

The ordinance cites section 4929.26 of the Ohio Revised Code and was passed with a recorded roll-call vote. Councilmembers recorded affirmative votes for Councilman Greg Eids, Councilman Hayes, Councilman Andrew Hit, Councilman Stall, Councilman Boyd, Councilwoman Lisa Jackman and Councilwoman Shannon Trainer. The clerk confirmed the ordinance "is passed" and the administration said the emergency clause was used to meet the board of elections timeline.

What happens next: the city will notify the Madison County Board of Elections to place the ballot question before London voters; if approved by voters the city would establish an aggregation program with opt-out language, and staff would later present suppliers and implementation details.