Return on LED investment is “ridiculous”

October 7, 2015 · 0 Comments

I have been a resident of Aurora since 1994.
Having managed technology companies with over 2,000 employees for many years, I have always been surprised on how Town Council seems able to spend taxpayers money with little regard to logic and/or making sound financial decisions.
It just appears that Council choices are either based on personal agendas or some kind of Provincial initiative that is sometimes unproven or without much merit.
What looks good does not necessarily mean it makes sense! But, like most Canadians we stay quiet and accept these things as normal with Governments.
But, last week reading The Auroran, I was stunned to see Council once again seriously contemplating a proposal to go forward with a $3.3M expense to replace streetlights with LED technology that makes no sense. While I applaud looking at new technologies that may be positive for the environment or be more efficient, how can Council spend our tax dollars on something with a 10 year ROI?
Whatever positive this technology may have a so-called payback this long is beyond comprehension.
Clearly Council operates in a different world than any of us. Not surprising that taxes go up every year and the justifications for increases are always weak or based on curious math!
Investing in new initiatives is a good thing and longer payback periods can be justifiable at times but, honestly beyond five years is ridiculous.
Technology changes way too fast to look at 10 years down the road. LED will be replaced or changed way before this so-called investment is paid back.
It would be nice to see Council make decisions that follow some basic financial principles just once!

R. Seguin
Aurora