De Soto explores solar panels, EV

De Soto City Hall

De Soto City Manager Todd Melkus said he will look into the costs and benefits of purchasing solar panels and an electric vehicle after City Council member Rich McCane suggested the town explore some long-term cost-saving options for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts Nov. 1.

"Our biggest, our most important responsibility is to be good stewards of the town people's money," McCane said May 15. "And I look down the road at the things that for De Soto concern me."

McCane, who has served on the council for 14 years, said the city needs to find ways to keep expenses down and revenue up.

"On the expenditure side, what concerns me are utilities and fuel," he said. "Electricity prices have been climbing and we should expect that they’ll continue to do that, especially if we’re not burning coal to make electricity."

McCane also said gasoline costs will rise in the future due to supply and demand.

"If we look at ways to insulate ourselves from that, (Melkus) and I had conversations about solar before last year's budget," he said. "And then in last year's budget, we saw Festus do (solar projects), which was probably a bet on the future for them, and probably a pretty good one.

"If you’re just net metering with the power company, you’re selling them your surplus during the peak of the day, which makes you their best friend because that's when they’re at peak demand. And then you buy electricity back from them at night when they don't need it. You’re helping them and at the same time, you’re insulating yourself."

McCane suggested looking at using solar panels on Public Works facilities with south-facing roofs.

He said the city also has a lot of open space by the sewer treatment plant.

"We could look at doing some of these projects and use capital improvement money to do it," McCane said. "It's an investment in the property, right?"

He said he believes that by making those long-term investments and saving money on electricity costs, the city could free up general revenue funds for other needs.

McCane, who owns an electric vehicle, also proposed the city buy an electric vehicle, keep detailed records about the operating costs and see how much money it saves, which would serve as a good case study for the city.

"We have the opportunity to insulate ourselves a bit from the volatility that the future holds," he said. "I really would like just to see it in our budget. I bring this up now because it's several months until the budget comes out. There's plenty of time to take a look at a couple of projects."

McCane said the city spends $399,000 for gasoline, diesel fuel, automobile maintenance and electricity.

"So, we’re not we’re not talking about peanuts, you know; that's a lot of money," he said. "And we’re going to have to spend some of that money."

McCane asked fellow council members if they agreed to direct Melkus to compile some information about the feasibility of investing in solar panels and an electric vehicle as part of the upcoming budget, and they agreed.

On May 25, Melkus said he had reached out to Ameren for information.

McCane said he also is concerned that the city does not have a use tax – a sales tax on internet purchases – which would translate into more revenue for the city.

"Sears gave way to Walmart, and Amazon is taking a big bite out of Walmart these days," he said. "And that, to me, looks like insecurity for the community in the future."

In April 2022, voters rejected a proposed use tax that would have allowed the city to collect its sales tax on purchases made through the internet, just like people pay at brick-and-mortar businesses.

Six other cities in the county had use taxes on that ballot, and only voters in Crystal City approved it.

Voters in Kimmswick previously approved the use tax.

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