CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Some Charlotte city leaders are shocked over what it's costing the city to power its approximately 75,000 street lights.
Officials with the Charlotte Department of Transportation estimate that up to 10 percent of the street lights are not working during any given week.
However, the city still pays for Duke Energy to provide power to them -- whether they're on or not.
"That's money going to waste!" Millye Rhue said when Eyewitness News told her in uptown. "It's not fair to the taxpayers."
Taxpayers aren't the only ones who were surprised by the cost.
"I think the number of lights that are out and the amount we're paying was probably a surprise to everybody," City Councilman Michael Barnes said.
Eyewitness News discovered the city of Charlotte pays Duke Energy a flat rate every month of $9.90 per streetlight to provide power every month.
But each month, city officials estimate up to 7,500 of those lights may not be working because of problems like burnt-out bulbs.
That means the city could be paying up to $75,000 every month for lights that aren't even on.
Barnes said when he found out about the contract at last week's City Council meeting, he immediately asked staff to contact Duke Energy about possible solutions.
"Now that we know, we want to figure out if there's a way to save that money," he said.
In a city memo from last Friday, Eyewitness News discovered that Charlotte DOT officials have spoken to Duke Energy about technology that could detect bulbs that are out. However, it could cost an additional $2.50 per pole, per month.
The memo states that "city staff has not agreed to the service because of the expense, but will be continuing these discussions with Duke."
Councilman Warren Turner said there is a simpler solution.
He said more people need to call 311 and Duke Energy to report if the lights are out.
"I think we all have a responsibility to call it in and say, 'Hey, there's a light out at such and such and such,' as a good citizen," he said.