Residents in Perry have been waiting in hopes of finally getting a Progress Energy office back in town.

That's still not happening. But, the utilities company has made a compromise.

As we mentioned in February, Progress Energy customers in Perry say having a local office for the utilities company is desperately needed.

City officials have been working on trying to make that happen.

Mediation between the City and Progress Energy have now ended in a compromise--one that some residents say is better than nothing; while others say is not enough.

Perry resident Lamar Dennis is a Progress Energy customer. He said, "I think they should have a local office where we could interact with the company."

There won't be a local office. But, residents will be able to interact with the company.

The interaction with Progress Energy customer service representatives will be via video link.

Officials with the City of Perry say that's the compromise they reached with the utilities company after several weeks of mediation, trying to get Progress Energy to open a local office.

Progress Energy customer Judy Bickel said, "It's something. It's something. At least they're thinking about us."

A company spokesperson says in 2000, Progress Energy closed all 33 of its business locations in Florida in an effort to save money.

Hundreds of pay stations replaced those offices.

A spokesperson says, "Progress Energy is pleased to have reached an amicable agreement with the City of Perry regarding this specific concern."

City of Perry officials say the video link will be set up somewhere in the office of the Chamber of Commerce and say the screen will be relatively large so that customers can speak with Progress Energy representatives.

But, some customers say that's not good enough.

Customer Eddie Hawkins said, "Naw, it really ain't. They need an office you can talk face to face; not video link."

Perry Manager Bob Brown says settlement with Progress Energy also includes Progress Energy's agreement to pay the city $45,000 in three $15,000 increments.

Brown says that almost equals the amount of fees levied by the city for Progress Energy not having a local office. City officials levied the fees because they say Progress Energy was breaking its franchise agreement by not having the office.

City officials say Progress Energy has also agreed to pay the City of Perry $5,000 a year for the next 16 years.

Brown says the city will use that money to buy energy saving items that they will give to residents for free, such as light bulbs and insulation.

City officials say Progress Energy says the video link will be up within 90 days.

It will be available in the Perry/Taylor County Chamber of Commerce building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.