MT. VERNON — The Mt. Vernon City Council approved Monday an order to submit a grant application to Ameren Illinois for replacement of street lights to LED bulbs. Ameren would replace all necessary bulbs at a discounted rate of $75 per bulb, down from the normal $250 per fixture.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel says Ameren has offered the program to low-income neighborhoods at a discounted rate to city’s who qualify.

Bechtel says if approved, the lights would make up roughly 25% of the lamps in town that still need replacing. Bechtel says applying for this grant was a no-brainer and will help significantly cut costs.

Along with replacing street lamps, the council plans to work to keep the city’s lots mowed and alleys cleaned up heading into spring and summer.