To the editor:

Drive by or visit a city facility and one leaves with the feeling that there is no financial crisis looming. City Hall is lit up like a Christmas tree after hours. Apparently those individuals never heard mom or dad admonishing, “turn off the lights when you leave a room!” It gives the message that the city is not being frugal with hard earned tax dollars.

At a recent council meeting, a citizen had to ask Mr. Stewart to turn down the blasting air conditioning as it was uncomfortably cold. Visit and you will see employees wearing jackets and sweaters. It gives the message that the city is not being frugal with hard-earned tax dollars. Based on the air conditioning industry, rule of thumb is that there is a 5 to 7 percent cost increase for heating or cooling per degree of set point adjustment. LCEC recommends settings no lower than 78 degrees. These minor changes to settings make a significant difference.

Air conditioning and heating in a city’s facilities may represent 40 percent of the city’s total utility costs. The citizens are watching their electric bills carefully and will do so even more with the proposed additional taxes that could be placed on utility bills. Air conditioning temperatures below 78 degrees give the message that the city is not being frugal with hard earned tax dollars.

Many of our residents work at jobs where they do not have the luxury of air conditioning. I know that for more than thirty five years I taught in a very old building with no air conditioning at all and a poor heating system. Our citizens who are struggling to find employment would welcome the opportunity to work in a 78 degree environment. You would not hear complaints from those workers!

We must look for every possible savings. Remember the old adage, “watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.” The citizens are making sacrifices and they expect no less from the city.

Mary Robinson

Cape Coral