BPW willing to negotiate utility rates with city

A Gaffney Board of Public Works (GBPW) official said Thursday he would be open to negotiations to lower utility costs for the city but said the final decision rests with the utility's board of commissioners.

"Any decision to change the rates would be the board's," GBPW General Manager Donnie Hardin said.

At Monday's city budget workshop, city administrator James Taylor suggested one of the ways the city could bridge a $380,000 budget shortfall is to negotiate lower utility costs with the Board of Public Works.

Specifically, the city will ask the Board to lower the electric rate it charges the city for street lights. Under the agreement, the city is charged a rate per street

light. Under the agreement, the Board is responsible for the installation and maintenance of the street lights.

"We haven't had any discussions as of yet," Hardin said.