Watertown Municipal Utilities

The board approved updates to general policies, including designating an official newspaper and modifying deposit procedures. Fee adjustments were approved for various services, and several employee manual changes were adopted, including updates to nepotism and residency requirements. The board awarded bids for Sodium Hypochlorite and Quick Lime Chips. A resolution was passed to utilize excess water system surcharge funds for the operation and maintenance of previously financed system improvements. Furthermore, the board declared certain assets as surplus, reviewed project reports from the electric, gas, and water departments, and approved verified salary claims and bills.

The meeting addressed several key actions and discussions. Bids for the 5th Ave N Reconstruction Project were awarded to SiteWorks, Inc., with the Municipal Utilities portion detailed. Proposed policy changes regarding official publication designees, customer credit reference letters, fee schedules, nepotism policy, smoking/vaping policy, and the bring your own device policy were presented for review before a March approval vote. Bids were opened for bill processing, mailing services, and postage, with action deferred to March to allow sample mailings review. Bids for gas mains installation, gas meters (diaphragm and rotary), gas pipe, and dirt/pipe work for new well and well redrill were awarded to various vendors. The Board authorized the General Manager to return checks to unsuccessful bidders and sign a 3-month agreement with Borns Group for bill processing services during the new software transition. Updates included information on upcoming bill format changes, scheduled training, and reports on operations, financial statements, and human resources recruiting efforts. Year-to-date financials showed the entity to be under budget for net income but over budget for capital additions for the period ending January 31, 2026. The Board approved verified salary claims and numerous payable claims and bills for March 2, 2026.

The board addressed numerous agenda items across several meetings. Key discussions included the approval of annual contracts for the General Manager to sign, which covers services like lawn care and SCADA maintenance. The board reviewed and accepted the 2024 Fixed Asset Report and Solid Waste Disposal Report, detailing asset retirements and transfers across electric, water, and gas departments, and declared CO2 injectors surplus. Bids were awarded for wire installation, tapping saddles, corporation stops, and a three-year janitorial service contract. The General Manager was authorized to sign agreements with Missouri River Energy Services for SPP upgrades and a Task Order Amendment with DGR Engineering for cost estimates related to transmission upgrades. Policy changes to the General Policy, Schedule of Fees, and Employee Handbook were presented for review, later accepted in the subsequent meeting. Significant financial activity included the approval of a resolution to use Excess Water System Surcharge Funds to pay for operating and maintenance expenses of previously financed improvements, as well as the approval of the McKinley Area electric overhead to underground project. Bids were considered for a Water Plant Storage Building and a Natural Gas Rate Study. Operational reports covered updates on water main breaks, leak surveys, staff certifications, and the successful handling of a winter storm by infrastructure. Administrative reports highlighted ongoing implementation of new billing software, recruitment efforts, and the review of financial statements, noting year-to-date net income above budget in the March reporting period.

The Board convened to address several agenda items, starting with the approval of the agenda with a modification. The consent agenda was approved, authorizing calls for bids across various departments (Water, Gas, Electric) for materials and services, declaring specific assets as surplus, and noting vehicles purchased via State Contract. The Board removed a small amount discharged in Bankruptcy Court from Accounts Receivable and also removed a larger amount of uncollectable accounts from Accounts Receivable due to no payment over seven years. A resolution was unanimously approved establishing 2026 employee salaries, including general wage increases and specific craft adjustments. Bids were reviewed for a Vacuum Evacuation System, and the contract was awarded to Midwest Underground Supply of SD. Other discussions included reviewing bill stuffers, overviewing Electric and Water Territory maps, and receiving comprehensive reports on Operations, Projects, Administration, and Financial Statements, noting year-to-date net income was below budget. Finally, verified salary claims and bills totaling over $1 million were approved.

The Municipal Utilities Board approved the agenda and the consent agenda, which included authorization for the General Manager to sign annual contracts and details regarding purchases using state bids or Sourcewell contracts. Key items approved included annual contracts for various services and authorizations up to $25,000 for construction projects. Specific purchases included a woodchipper and an air compressor. The Board authorized the General Manager to sign an amendment for engineering services related to remote Water SCADA System site upgrades. A detailed 2025 Fixed Asset Report and Solid Waste Disposal Report covering Electric, Water, and Gas assets and retirements was presented. Bids were opened and awarded for numerous Electric Department supplies, including transformers, wire, installation services, and various lighting fixtures. Reports on Operations and Projects highlighted completed electric line removals, gas monitoring during cold snaps, and water main break repairs. The Administration and Financial Statements report indicated that year-to-date net income was significantly above budget for the period ending December 31, 2025, and detailed current projects like the 2025 physical inventory and preparation for a spring surplus auction. The Board approved verified salary claims and bills totaling over one million dollars.