LUB Reviews Financials, Approves Scholarship Renewals

Lamar LIght and Power Plant

The Lamar Utility Board reported that Year to Date electric sales through May of this year were 4.2% lower than the same time last year.  Residential, commercial and industrial customer sales were off 5% and irrigation loads were down approximately 16% compared to the same time last year.  Total operating revenues for 2012 are $4,426,444 and total operating costs are $3,414,759.  Net income for the Lamar Light Plant is at $715,961, Year to Date.  Compared to April 2011, retail revenue sales are up 10%, approximately $390,240 and operating expenses dropped by 7%. 

Utility Board members approved the low bid of $69,766 from Western United Ermco for the purchase of pole mount and pad mount transformers.  The board also approved a 6,000 foot line extension to a water well for May Valley Water.  The fee for the line extension will be 2% of the actual cost of the extension, or $208.68 a month for a standard five year agreement.

 Three area youths have been hired by the light plant for the Summer Youth Employee program through the Colorado Work Force Center.  This is the sixth year of the program which has hired for 2012, Braxton Warn in the Wind Turbine department, Travis Hoots in General Maintenance and Tyler Shy for Plant Maintenance. 

Several area students received renewals of their LUB/ARPA scholarships as part of plan approved by the board.  Pending grade performance, the board awards $500 to each student who applies.  Additional scholarships were given to Taylor Wilson and Jared Smartt.  Wilson is working towards a PhD in physical therapy at the University of Colorado and Smartt is attending CSU and has helped establish Chi Alpha, a student ministry focused on helping others. 

The board adjourned into executive session to discuss possible ARPA litigation after their brief, general meeting this past Tuesday.

By Russ Baldwin