Lamar Utilities Board meeting January 27, 2026

Board Chairman Doug Thrall and Board member Jill Bellomy were both absent at the January 27, 2026 meeting.  In Thrall’s absence, Vice-Chairman Jay Brooke chaired the meeting. The board voted to approve the minutes from the January 13, 2026 meeting as well as approving Purchase Orders 2025-02431 through 2025-02667.  Purchase orders totaled $57,543.86, of which $35,230.64 needed board approval.  The largest purchase order was in the amount of $10,955.00 for Magne breaker replacements purchased from Cross Canyon Engineering, LLC.  Bills totaling $662,926.69 were approved for payment.  Larger bills included $567,580.29 to ARPA, and $13,377.45 to Wind Solutions, LLC.

Bid #2073 for line materials and hardware was awarded to Western United for $19,543.02.  They submitted the lowest of 5 bids received and also had the quickest delivery date of the 5.  Bid #2074 for 4-inch underground poly pipe to replenish stock was awarded to Western United for $5,970.  Again, Western United submitted the lowest of 5 bids received.  Bid #2075 for 10-foot fiberglass cross arms to replenish stock was awarded to Border States in the amount of $21,326.55 which was the lowest of the 4 bids received.  Bid #2076 for a 2026 F-150 ½-ton pickup truck to replace a 2008 pickup was awarded to Tri County Ford in the amount of $47,645.00.  It was the lowest of 3 bids received. This was a previously-budgeted purchase.

Superintendent Hourieh’s System Operating Report stated that sales of electricity through December of 2025 are down approximately 2.95% compared to the same time period in 2024.  Residential sales were down approximately 2.41%, irrigation sales were down approximately 12.93%, and commercial/industrial sales were down approximately 2.08%.  These three customer classes represent an estimated 26% of total system sales.  With Takkion and RMS Cranes on site, needed repairs to T-2’s wind turbine gearbox were completed.  The process took about three weeks.  The failed control system components were replaced and reconfigured at that time.  Takkion completed their work by oil flush and oil filter replacement.  Plans for Linear Labs to be on site include January 19-30 to remove existing pitch system and install the Pitch Pro-2000 and again February 2-13 to commission the Pitch Pro-2000 by Bachmann and Keba engineers.

Damaged wind turbine gear

Hourieh also announced that they are accepting applications for the 2026/2027 scholarship program.  The scholarship is available to Lamar, Wiley, and McClave high school seniors.  This year’s topic is “Lamar Light and Power is a publicly-owned electric utility since 1920.  Discuss the advantages of having a publicly-owned electric utility in the community”.  The scholarship application is available online and has been forwarded to each school’s guidance counselor.  The deadline for the application to be returned is April 10, 2026 and winners will be announced on May 4, 2026.

By: Barbara Crimond