Lamar Utility Board Notes Slight Downturn in Power Purchases

The Lamar Utility Board approved purchase orders totaling $956,004.79 during their Tuesday, November 12^th meeting. Orders requiring authorization amounted to $939,912.06. The estimated payment to ARPA was $937,348.95 based on previous month’s consumption. Payment of bills amounted to $145,477.52.

The board approved the purchase of 45, forty-foot, Class 2 power poles and selected the low bid from Bell Lumber and Pole from the three submitted for a total of $31,548. Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh said these are kept in stock against future need.

He noted that sales of electricity through September 2019 are down approximately 2.04% compared to the same period in 2018. Residential sales were down approximately 1.18%. Commercial and industrial sales were down approximately 2.13% and irrigation sales were down approximately 7.28%. These three customer classes represent an estimated 96% of the total sales for the year. Revenues are currently 12% lower than the same period in 2018.

On Thursday, Oct 29^th at around 7pm, Las Animas requested power deliver from Lamar’s 69KV line due to a snow storm where ice and wind damaged Black Hill’s power line west of Las Animas. Hourieh noted that Lamar is still supplying power to the community at this time.

With the changeover to a new mayor, it may be expected that Kirk Crespin will become the City of Lamar liaison to the Lamar Utility Board. Former Mayor, Roger Stagner, attended the board meeting and noted that the council will take a vote in the future when new liaison appointments of all the council members is conducted. For the time being, he will continue to represent the city at LUB as well as ARPA.

The board adjourned into executive session to discuss legal issues with a delinquent account. Following the session, the board decided to place a lean on the client for back payment.

By Russ Baldwin