Utility Board Discusses Mowing, Wage Increases

The utility trustees met on May 1, 2025. All trustees were present as they approved the agenda. No one addressed the trustees in open forum.

In reports, Chairman Heater reported that the wind turbine had produced 1.55 million kWh through March 2025.

The utility board is considering contracting the mowing for utility properties. By Chairman Heater’s calculations, they are spending approximately $400 to $450 in wages and benefits for one of their employees to mow one day a week.

They discussed the committees may want to review the Three-Year plan to make adjustments to the order of projects/purchases. They noted which ones are complete and those that are in the works.

Trustee Wilhelm commented that the utility board may want to have the wind turbine’s blades inspected and repaired if needed. Blade inspections are now done by drones. Trustee Jackson mentioned that Walt Jackson of Henry County Emergency Management has a drone and could do the inspection for the utility board free of charge since it is Henry County.

The trustees then heard the utility foreman’s report. The marking water main/service valves for GIS mapping project with French Reneker is about two-thirds complete. French Reneker thinks the project will come in under budget.

Mayor Miller was in attendance and let the trustees know that the city’s Pine Street Subdivision is expanding to its third addition and there’s a party interested in purchasing the remaining lots on Dover Circle.

The consent agenda was approved with an amendment to the minutes concerning attendance. It was noted that Jean Westerbeck was not present at the April 3, 2025 meeting. It was reported that she was in attendance.

In new business, the trustees discussed contracting the mowing out. They directed City Clerk Howard to request a quote from Ruby Lawn Care and to see who mows the school’s property. They would like to partner with the city if possible.

The Trustees discussed utilizing the property at 608 East Main Street, the “Old Casey’s” gas station. The utility originally acquired the property as a site for an additional water tower, but with the new raw water storage tank it doesn’t look like the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will be requiring an additional elevated tank. Trustee Wilhelm remarked that the utility had no use for the building on the property, so they gave it to the city for storage. It was questioned why the utility was mowing the property if it wasn’t theirs. Chairman Heater noted the reasons why the city or utility can acquire property. It has to have a public purpose.

The Trustees discussed employee wage increases for 2025-2026. The trustees discussed what was budgeted for wages in 2025-2026, what other local government entities were giving their employees, and their preferences on the matter. The trustees were comfortable with a 5% increase in wages, but were also going to consider a flat dollar amount as well. They will discuss the matter again at their next regular meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m. The next meeting of the New London Utility board will be Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 1 p.m. in the city office.