Lamar Utilities Board Meeting of November 10, 2026

The Lamar Utilities Board met for a regular bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.  Purchase Orders 2025-07876 through 2025-08117 were approved, totaling $837,143.11.  Estimated October power purchase from ARPA comprised $789,361.90 of this amount.  A radio repeater purchased from Digitcom Electronics, Inc. was $12,469.16.  Professional services from the legal firm Ireland Stapleton Pryor and Pascoe PC amounted to $9,671.26. Bills for this period totaled $198,150.21 and were approved by the Board.

The next order of business was the consideration for approval of Resolution 26-11-01 – “Interest Rates on Customer Deposits”. This is an annual housekeeping resolution that establishes the interest rates the department pays on utility deposits per PUC regulations. “Pursuant to Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado Rule 3403 (n)(11) requires the Commission’s Staff to calculate the customer deposit interest rate pursuant to a 12-month average of rates, quoted in the Federal Reserve Bulletin United States the preceding year. Accordingly, the newly calculated simple interest per annum rate for electric utilities accepted customer deposits in 2027 will be 3.78%”.  This rate was set forth for calendar year 2027 by the State of Colorado Public Utilities Commission.  The Resolution was approved unanimously.

Superintendent Hourieh’s System Operating Report stated “With CFS inspectors on site, we have completed the annual safety testing and inspection of all bucket and digger trucks per ASTM standards.  We have also tested and inspected all high voltage sticks, blankets, gloves, sleeves, and line hoses.  The test results indicated 3 failed line sticks, which will be replaced, and minor bucket and digger truck repairs were needed.  With Digitcom on site, we completed the upgrade of our two way radio repeater with Motorola SLF 8000 Base station repeater.  The new repeater will support our crew’s operations and optimize safe, reliable, and efficient communications.  The line crew is in the process of installing 830 feet of single phase, 25kv line located 1500 feet south of County Road HH and 8.5.  The new underground line includes installing 4” polyethylene duct, 1/0 cu cable and 25 KVA padmount transformers”.

Before adjournment of the meeting, the Board went into an Executive Session “To Receive Legal Advice Regarding Communications with the City of Lamar’s Attorney – Attorney – Client Communications – Executive Session Pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b).

The next meeting of the Lamar Utilities Board is scheduled for Tuesday, November 24, 2026 at noon.

By: Barbara Crimond