The Board of Public Works of Trenton Municipal Utilities held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday evening at city hall.
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The Board of Public Works of Trenton Municipal Utilities held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday evening at city hall.
TMU Accounting Supervisor Teresa Price informed board members about a computer problem earlier this year which resulted in electric customers paying less than they should have this summer.
She said customers were billed at the lower winter rates instead of the normally higher summer rates which resulted in the utility receiving approximately $100,000 less than is should have during the summer season. The amount undercharged range from a few pennies up to nearly $200 for some residential customers, with the average being $50. Only customers who used over 700kw are affected by the undercharge.
TMU Director Chad Davis pointed out that the utility has made refunds in the past when mistakes were made in the utilities favor and the board felt the most equitable solution is for customers who were undercharged to pay what they owe.
Price said the staff has figured out what each customer owes and the board voted unanimously to have the amount included on the next TMU bill. A letter explaining the charge will accompany each bill and customers will have the option of paying the amount in full next month or making payments until April 18 of next year. There will be no interest or penalty charged if the amount owed is paid by that date.
The board also discussed the electric contract with Sikeston and recommended to send to the city council a memorandum of understanding between the utility and Sikeston that the ending date of the contract will be May 31, 2009.
Davis said there was some confusion between the parties whether the ending date was in 2008 or 2009 and since the contract has been good for Trenton and the Missouri Public Energy Pool, it was agreed to extend it to the later date.
In other business, Davis reported information will soon be sent out to bidders for improvements to water lines for the next three years.
He said the priorities for improvements include the Oklahoma Avenue, 28th Street and Industrial Drive area followed by the Barnes Greenhouse area on Pleasant Plain.
Other areas would be prioritized according to the hydraulic study and available money in working with the contractor that is selected for the work.
Concerns had been expressed at last month?s meeting about water needs at the greenhouse and Davis said he has spoken with the business to find out just what their concerns are. Most of their needs involve water volume and Davis said he will be checking on costs and it is hoped the work can be done as soon as possible. He told the board he would keep the business informed as they moved ahead with the work.
In an update on the Tinsman sewer project, Davis said two easements remain to be completed and some paperwork from the Union Pacific Railroad is needed before the contractor can begin working. The work should begin this fall with a 90- to 120-day completion date.
The electric generators have been permanently installed at the south substation and are in the process of being hooked into the city?s electric system.
Four of the units will begin receiving credits from the Missouri Public Energy Pool on Jan. 1, 2004 with discussion to continue with the pool on when the other three units will eligible for credits.
In a related note, Davis said the pool has signed a long-term agreement with Omaha Public Power to purchase electricity from a plant to be built in Nebraska City, NE by 2009.
City Administrator Kerry Sampson commended TMU employees for their assistance with the Missouri Day Festival held last weekend, which drew many people to the community.
Sampson also said the staffs of the city and utility have recently implemented a wellness program with money returned to both entities from their health insurance carrier.
A consultant has been hired to educate employees about health and fitness in order to help control future health care insurance costs.
Davis noted that one customer has taken advantage of the utilities? tree replacement program. The program allows for TMU employees to remove a tree, with customer approval, which is growing into power lines and requires topping. It is replaced with a new tree which will not grow as tall at no cost to the customer. More information is available from the TMU office.
The next meeting of the board will be on Nov. 18.