Knoxville Utilities Board

The board discussed operational reliability and rapid response strategies for service outages. Additional topics included an update on the Water Supply Master Plan detailing completed, in-construction, and future projects, as well as an update on the Project Help campaign which provides customer assistance. A public comment segment was also held.

The discussion focused on KUB's customer notification processes, specifically regarding outage alerts. Staff provided information on current communication channels including social media, mobile apps, websites, and direct mail. Participants provided feedback on potential improvements for outage notifications, interest in automated usage threshold alerts, and educational communication regarding programs like vegetation management and income assistance. There was also discussion on enhancing the relationship between the utility and its customers through better digital communication tools.

The board meeting agenda focused on presentations regarding organizational preparedness and response to storm events, an overview of the Water Supply Master Plan, and an update on the annual Project Help campaign.

This document outlines KUB's strategic initiatives for ensuring reliable utility services and community support. Key focus areas include enhancing weather and system emergency preparedness through the Century II Investment program, which modernizes the grid and implements an Incident Command System for efficient disaster response. It details the comprehensive Water Supply Master Plan for the Mark B. Whitaker Water Treatment Plant, targeting operational flexibility, resiliency, and redundancy with projects extending until 2033. Additionally, KUB's strategic efforts include the Project Help Campaign, providing financial assistance to customers.

The meeting included introductions of new board members and a review of the board's purpose. Discussions centered on utility service management, including strategies for helping customers manage utility costs, the implementation of renewable energy initiatives, and the role of the advisory panel in providing community perspectives to the utility board. Key topics also included vegetation management, the feasibility of undergrounding infrastructure, and an overview of the organization's emergency preparedness and response strategies for adverse weather events.