Stephanie Howard

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.

The agenda for the upcoming meeting includes several considerations under New Business: Consideration of Resolution 2026.02 regarding the retirement of Elvis Castor, discussion of an Access Road for the Economic Development Park, and consideration of bids for CWEP Well Maintenance, Fiber Optic Splicing Trailer, Substation No. 4 Switches, and Water Line Replacement at Zapletal Way and Forest Drive. Additionally, there is consideration of Resolution 2026.03 concerning the SWPA Facilities Study and Environmental Documentation Agreement. The meeting also involves reports of operations and financial statements for January, and reporting on disbursements for January.

The agenda for the meeting included consideration of Resolution 2026.01 concerning a retirement resolution for Harlan Block. Other new business involved consideration of revisions to the Salary Administration Guidelines policy to add the position of "Utility Services Manager" and relocate the Engineering/GIS job family to the Customer Service Department. Additionally, the Board planned to consider bids for Lift Station and Manhole Rehabilitation. The staff reports section indicated ongoing work on inventory barcoding, implementing ACH invoice payments, and payroll reporting for new overtime rules. Legal counsel reported agreement on terms for a transformer purchase and progress on Circuit Switcher terms. Employee charitable contributions and the annual Lighting Contest were also noted. Power Services announced the graduation of three linemen apprentices. General Manager Bryant mentioned an internal organizational adjustment merging Meter Service and GIS/Engineering teams into the Utility Services Team, effective upon the upcoming retirement of Harlan Block.

The Carthage Water & Electric Plant Board convened to discuss multiple agenda items. Key topics included consideration of a resolution for mutual aid among multiple cities, review of the CWEP Cybersecurity Policy, recommendations to proceed with a Mini Excavator Lease Extension and Lift Station Upgrades. The board also addressed financial matters, including the approval of disbursements and a financial statement review. Additionally, there was a presentation by Tyr Energy on energy management services.