All Entries in the "Utilities" Category
Lamar Utility Board and Net Metering Policy
The Lamar Utility Board accepted the interest rate recommendation from the Public Utilities Commission for 2019. The annual housekeeping resolution set the interest rate for customer deposits at 2.05% based on a 12 month average of rates. Board members, during the November 13th meeting, voted approval for pole mount transformers from long-time supplier Stuart […]
Financial Fallout from 1A’s Defeat
Prowers County Impact: 4,002 votes were cast on November 6th concerning Prowers County Ballot Issue 1A, a proposed county tax increase to generate additional revenues for the ambulance service in and around Prowers County. The measure was defeated 2,102 against to 1,900 in favor. Had it passed, it was estimated to be able to […]
Business Ideas Showcased by Area Students in E-Fair
Wednesday, November 7th, was a win-win day for a lot of middle and high school students from the region participating in the first annual Lamar Youth Entrepreneurship Fair in Lamar. Working with Ogallala Commons, a non-profit community development network offering leadership and education to students around the region, 63 students from the 5th to […]
Lamar Loop Gains Ground
The Lamar Loop, an eight mile hiking path that will encompass a major portion of the community, is making progress with recent construction efforts. This past summer, city crews improved a dirt and gravel pathway running eastwards along the canal which leads from Willow Creek Park across from the public tennis courts, following […]
Customers Discuss Net Metering Policy with Utility Board
The majority of the October 23rd Utility Board meeting was spent meeting with about a dozen Lamar Light and Power customers who use solar power to help off-set the costs of their bills from the Light Plant. Ryan Sneller addressed the board members with a general question from the group regarding the rate structure […]
Redevelopment Authority Okays Payment, Council Approves Brownsfield Study Grant
The Lamar City Council, acting as the Lamar Redevelopment Authority, approved 50% of the Prowers County portion of real property taxes assessed on the Lamar Holiday Inn Express during their meeting, Monday, October 22nd. Historically, the City of Lamar adopted Resolution LRA 11-09-01 on September 12, 2011 which stated that the URA, Urban […]
City Sells Land, Buys Vehicles
The Lamar City Council approved two lease agreements during their regular meeting, October 8th. One was with Frontier Bank for the lease-purchase of a new Fire Truck. The agreement is for ten years with a first payment of $43,223.24 due this year and a fixed interest rate of 3.95%. A second, […]
Lamar Redevelopment Authority Discusses Incentive Agreements
The Lamar Redevelopment Authority, meeting prior to the regular City Council on Monday, October 8th, approved a memorandum of agreement with the DCI Colorado Community Revitalization Association. DCI, Downtown Colorado Incorporated provides guidance for revitalizing the local economy of communities in the state, focusing on developing community-wide partnerships aimed at growing economic vitality. Lamar […]
Holly Trustees Prepare for Strategic Planning Meeting
The Holly Trustees will meet for a full day for a strategic planning retreat on Saturday, October 13th and will map out what they and local resident’s suggestions consider to be priority goals for the community. The session will be led by Sheryl Trent of SBrand Consulting, LLC who has been involved in […]
Holiday Motel Becomes Ft Lyon Donation Site
The Lamar Lion’s Club has once again begun to accept donations for the Ft. Lyons Homeless Shelter using the Holiday Motel at 404 North Main Street in Lamar as the drop off site. The motel desk clerk will provide information and a key to the room being used for donations. Items needed include: […]
Lamar Utility Board Reviews Proposed 2019 Budget for Light Plant
The Lamar Utility Board reviewed their draft proposal for the 2019 budget for the Transmission and Distribution Operation of the Light Plant during their September 25th meeting. Estimated revenues for 2019 are $15,859,323 for charges for services, based on sales of electric power to all customers. Investment earnings show an estimated increase at […]
Future of LRP Coal Domes Explored
The two coal storage domes, an integral part of the Lamar Repowering Project, have sat empty and idle for several years north of East Maple Street. Per a settlement agreement, the City of Lamar owns them and they have been offered for sale. City Administrator, John Sutherland, informed the city council, there has […]
Lamar Redevelopment Authority Weighs Main Street Business Request
The former Bettiann’s building, a long time fixture at 112 South Main Street in Lamar, is currently owned by Haley May Rhodes of Lamar who is requesting funding from the Lamar Redevelopment Authority to develop her own store. The request was made during the LRA’s September 24th meeting. The total cost of interior […]
Colorado Employment Situation in August 2018
Employers in Colorado added 1,500 nonfarm payroll jobs from July to August for a total of 2,740,500 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. There was no change in private sector payroll jobs and government increased 1,500. July estimates were revised up to 2,739,000, and the over the month increase from June to […]
Lamar City Council Meeting Focused on Municipal Finances
The Lamar City Council held a brief, regular meeting on Monday, September 10th. The council approved the risk advisory group (CIRSA) Worker’s Compensation quote of $5,000 for the deductible and premium for 2019. The renewal quote for the city’s property/casualty contribution was also approved. Although it was higher than the previous year, it […]
