Chuck Bryant

The board discussed and approved several operational and financial matters, including the authorization of signatories, the purchase of a drive unit for the wastewater treatment plant, a pump and motor upgrade for a water well, and the continued engagement of an Integrated Resource Plan consultant. Additionally, the board approved the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget and revisions to salary administration guidelines, and received updates regarding employee awards and new customer assistance programs.

The board meeting covered several key operational and financial topics, including reports on power, water, and IT services performance. Financial items included the approval of disbursements and the review of February financials. New business items addressed the approval of authorized signatures for financial accounts, the purchase of a new drive unit for the East Grit Chamber, the awarding of a contract for a Well 17 pump and motor upgrade, and the continued engagement of an Integrated Resource Plan consultant. Additionally, the board approved the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, featuring wage and rate adjustments, and authorized revisions to the Salary Administration Guidelines Policy. Staff reports highlighted the receipt of an RP3 award and the introduction of a new customer assistance program.

The Board meeting included presentations from the Chamber of Commerce regarding local events and partnerships. Operations reports covered financial performance across water, power, and IT departments, including updates on grants, equipment outages, and power adjustment revenues. New business actions involved approving a retirement resolution for a long-time manager, awarding contracts for an access road construction, well maintenance, a fiber optic splicing trailer, substation switches, and water line replacements. Additionally, the Board authorized an environmental study agreement and received staff updates on inventory QR coding, meter services, and future power capacity sales.

Key discussions included an overview of upcoming Carthage events from the Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. Operational reports detailed that IT/Broadband revenues fell below budget for the month but exceeded budget year-to-date, while Water Services noted five main water breaks and receipt of a notification regarding eligibility for a $5 Million grant for lead service line replacement. The Power Services Director reported net income over budget due to favorable purchase power adjustments. New business involved approving the retirement resolution for Meter Services Manager Elvis Castor, awarding a contract of $688,000.00 to Randy Dubry Construction, LLC for an access road for the Economic Development Park, awarding a well maintenance contract to Flynn Drilling Company, awarding a Fiber Optic Splicing Trailer purchase to Intelli-Core, LLC for $53,907.83, awarding the Substation No. 4 Switch project to MindCore Technologies, Inc. for $114,760.00, and awarding the Water Line Replacement project to Signature Excavating LLC and Blevins Asphalt for a combined total of $662,045.25. The Board also approved Resolution 2026.03 concerning the SWPA Facilities Study and Environmental Documentation Agreement. Staff reports covered the ongoing Inventory QR coding project, positive updates on personnel transitions, and the Director of Water Services' appointment to the Safe Drinking Water Commission.

Key discussions included the report of operations for December, noting higher than expected purchase power energy and demand expenses due to maintenance at Plum Point and Dogwood plants, though IT and Water Services reported being under budget in certain areas. The Board reviewed December financials, which showed combined operating revenues exceeding budget and combined operating expenses exceeding budget for the month and year to date. New business involved approving a retirement resolution for Facility and Fleet Manager Harlan Block, approving revisions to the Salary Administration Guidelines policy to add a new position and redefine department names, and awarding a contract for Lift Station and Manhole Rehabilitation to Advanced Rehabilitation Technology for an estimated $449,857.74. Staff reports included updates on inventory QR coding, preparations for another upcoming retirement, the website redesign project, and bid status for upcoming water-main replacements.