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Utility Trustees Ring in New Year with a Large Agenda
By Gina Anderson
Jan. 16, 2025 12:00 am
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
On Jan. 2, 2025, the New London Utility Trustees met for their regular meeting with all members present. They approved the agenda and no one addressed the trustees in open forum.
In reports, City Clerk Kasi Howard presented the statistics on the wind turbines production and the cost of ownership and operation for 2023 and 2024. The expenses were $340,384.40 for 4,628,775 kWh generated. The price per kWh was $0.0735 for 2023. For 2024, the expenses were $367,109.50 for 3,752,982 kWh generated. The price per kWh was $0.0978.
The trustees heard from Utility Foreman Dave Ford. He listed several completed jobs for the month that included putting up Christmas lights, ice storm repairs, and repair of a water main on Madison Street.
Trustee Wilhelm pointed out that the Utility has advertisements at the high school boys and girls diamonds and thought the trustees might want to consider adding one to the youth diamond. The trustees approved the consent agenda, and then turned their attention to unfinished old business. The following were discussed:
- 3-Year Plan (Roadmap) for equipment, needs and projects.
- Evaluate the priority, needs and costs of backup transformer with 750, 500 and 100 KVA.
- Evaluate the priority, needs and costs for replacing catalytic converters on the diesel generators.
- Evaluate the priority, needs and costs to upgrade meter reading systems.
- Evaluate the priority, needs and costs of drilling a new well.
- Evaluate the priority, needs and costs of wind turbine repair issues as it pertains to defective glue causing magnets to come loose.
- Evaluate the priority, needs and costs of purchasing a lift assist system to climb the wind turbine
- Evaluate the priority, needs and costs of an additional fuel tank at the diesel generation plant.
The Trustees had comments about some of the items listed above, but no action was taken. Currently, there was no update on the purchase and installation status of the water plant service pump and VFD.
In new business, they discussed the need for developing key elements of a simple mission statement and program and operational objectives for the NL Municipal Utilities. Chairman Heater would like member input on this topic as they go forward.
The Trustees then discussed the third phase of the South Pine Street Residential Subdivision and the level of Utility’s involvement. Mayor Miller discussed with the Trustees the Council’s thoughts on moving forward with the third phase of the subdivision. He stated that he should have more definitive information after the Council meeting on Jan. 13, 2025. Mayor Miller stated the start date for construction would most likely be in the spring.
The trustees to the following actions:
- Approved Trustee Jackson and Foreman Ford as the liaisons to the Resale Power Group of Iowa.
- Approved the reinvestment of electric funds in 182 day CDs at the Danville State Savings Bank at 4.50%.
The meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m. The next utility board meeting is Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 at 1 p.m. at the City Office.
