The city’s recent electrical conversion is already paying dividends for Brundidge residents.

Britt Thomas, city manager, reported to the City Council Tuesday that the average cost for purchasing power is a penny less per kilowatt-hour than in 2009.

That’s a big savings to the city considering the city’s purchases 61million kilowatt-hours annually.

“It’s a savings of $18 per 1,000 kilowatt hours to our residents, from $135.68 in 2009 to $118 in 2010,” Thomas said.

Thomas charted electrical usage in Brundidge during the months of June, July and August, which showed that, during that period, there were 694 hours when the temperature was above 95 degrees.

“That was almost 29 full days,” Thomas said. “And there were 43 hours where the temperature was 100 degrees or above. That explains why the electric bills were high during that period.”

In comparison, during the months of January and February, there were 514 hours when the temperature dropped to 25 degree or below.

“During those months gas usage was up,” Thomas said.

Thomas also reported that all the LED lights for the city have arrived and should be in place by the end of next week.

“The fixtures for the lamp lights were different and the tops were black,” he said. “The street department painted those green to match the posts. So, we decided to go ahead and paint the posts and the railings. It all looks really good.”

The city received a $123,600 USDA grant at a presentation Tuesday morning. The grant will be used to purchase furnishings for the addition to the Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library and to complete renovations to the facility.

Thomas said Librarian Jean Carroll said the furnishings could be purchased directly off the state’s bid list.

The council voted to give the mayor the authority to furnish the law firm of Beasley & Allen with public records to determine if the city has a claim against BP.

Ramage said the records would determine if the Gulf oil spill has had a significant negative impact on local businesses and the city’s sales tax revenue and if the city should consider entering in a claims process against BP.

The mayor reminded the council of a busy upcoming week, Oct. 25-30.

The annual Brush Arbor Singing, which is a kickoff event for the Peanut Butter Festival, will be Tuesday night at the Knox Ryals Pavilion. The Fall Festival for children will be Thursday night on the grounds of the Bass House and the 19th annual Peanut Butter Festival will be on Saturday in the downtown area.