All Entries in the "Utilities" Category
Lamar Redevelopment Authority Okays Norjune Extension, Breakfast Restaurant Request
Neil and Rinda Emick’s request of an extension deadline for their NorJune Apartment renovations was approved by the Lamar Redevelopment Authority. Construction delays occurred when 16 of the 32 new windows had manufacturer defects which required replacing. This delay set back the couple’s timetable from repairing the stucco to have the building at […]
Bennet, Hickenlooper Call on President Biden to Support Funding for Arkansas Valley Conduit
Denver — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper called on President Biden to prioritize funding for the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC) in his budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). The AVC is a planned 130-mile water-delivery system from the Pueblo Reservoir to nearly 40 rural communities and 50,000 Coloradans throughout the […]
Lamar Utility Board Moves Forward on 2024 Projects
Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh outlined replacement and equipment upgrade plans for 2024 for the board which included an upgrade of the 4Kv substation equipment; replacing the gearbox for wind turbine T-4 and begin to decommission the 37 miles of 6 and 4-inch natural gas pipeline stranded assets per the direction of the […]
Arkansas River Power Authority Business Operations – December 2023
ARPA Board Adopts 2024 Budget. At its December meeting the ARPA Board of Directors approved its operating budget for 2024 in the amount of $25,428,886. Rates will remain unchanged and stable for the 2024 budget which includes: Revenues of approximately $31 million Power supply expense of approximately $15 million Transmission expense of approximately $3.6 […]
LUB – ARPA Moving Ahead with Turbine Repairs
The Lamar Utility Board ended their year with the Systems Operating Report from Light Plant Superintendent, Houssin Hourieh. He noted the sales of electricity through November 2023 were down approximately 2.68% when compared to the same time frame in 2022. Resident sales were down 3.98%, commercial/industrial sales were off 1.9% and irrigation sales […]
Lamar Council Begins Search for Police Chief
Mayor Kirk Crespin announced during the December 11th city council meeting, that Lamar Police Chief, Kyle Miller, is retiring from his position with the City of Lamar and as such, the council awarded the bid for replacement recruitment services to KRW Associates, LLC which provided the lowest overall cost and had the desired […]
Drought Information Statement for South Central and Southeast Colorado
Valid November 30th, 2023 – Issued By: NWS Pueblo, Colorado U.S. Drought Monitor – Drought intensity and Extent: D0: Abnormally Dry: Portions of Chaffee, Saguache, Fremont, Custer, Huerfano, Las Animas, Pueblo, Crowley, Otero, Bent, Kiowa and Prowers counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity – Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Portions of […]
Lamar Utility Board Okays Revised Employee Handbook
Lamar Light Plant Human Resources Officer, Leala Owen, briefed the utility board members on recommended changes made to the employee’s handbook. The first updates since 2007. She said the updates will be consistent with changing employment laws and requirements and the alterations were considered by the Mountain States Employers Council, CIRSA and attorney’s […]
Lamar Light Plant Completes Safety Testing
Houssin Hourieh, Lamar Light Plant Superintendent, informed the Lamar Utility Board, the annual safety testing and inspection of all bucket and digger trucks has been completed as well as other equipment such as voltage sticks, blankets and line hoses. There was one failure to a line blanket as well as cracks noted through Unit […]
New Council Moves Forward on Agenda
With the November General Election concluded, new and re-elected Lamar City Council members took their oath of office to begin their term. David Zavala, recently elected to serve Ward 2, replacing Mike Duffy, was administered his oath by Judge Lane Porter to begin the November 13, 2023 council session. Per the City Charter which […]
Departing Council Finalizes Agenda Items
The outgoing Lamar City Council concluded the details of its agenda during the November 13th meeting. Ordinance 1268, pertaining to vacating the east-west alley between off 401 South 14th Street for Anthony Aguilera, was approved. The alley has not been used in decades and is located between lots 1 and 2, Block 4 in Maxwell’s […]
ARPA BUSINESS OPERATIONS – November 2023
ARPA Board Conducts Strategic Planning Process. It’s widely recognized that the electric industry across the nation, but especially in Colorado is undergoing a significant transition. The advent of rooftop solar installations, Electric Vehicle charging stations, the effort to operate the grid with renewables, and the development of an electric market in the west are but […]
US 50 Drainage Improvement Project East of Swink Starts Mid-November
Otero County— The Colorado Department of Transportation and its contracting partner, Habitat Construction, LLC, will begin improvements to US Highway 50 on Nov. 15. Improvements will start on the east side of Swink and will continue east for approximately one mile. The anticipated completion date of the project is mid-March 2024. Work will […]
Lamar Utility Board Recognizes Service of Clifford R. Boxley, Discusses Funds Investments
At the meeting of October 24, the Lamar Utility Board began its meeting by approving Resolution 23-10-03 – Recognition of Clifford R. Boxley and his service to the Lamar Utilities Board from October 2016 to June 2023. He was presented with a ceremonial lamp by Light Plant Superintendent Houssin Hourieh. Minutes from the October 10, […]
Lamar Utility Board Finalizes 2024 Budget and Write Offs
The Lamar Utility Board finalized its approval of the 2024 budget. Revenues are expected to be $15.7 million with $14.3 million from retail electric sales and the balance from wind turbine production. Operating expenses are estimated at $14.2 million which includes $9.3 million for power supply. Other expenses include $1.400,516 for personnel costs, […]
