Granada Customers to Vote on SECPA Sale

Granada Water Tower

Granada Trustees voted to approve a resolution during a February 26 public meeting to hold a community election on whether to sell the city’s electric power to SECPA, Southeast Colorado Power Association.  The election will be held Tuesday, April 1.  The negotiated purchase price is $475,000 and it will be approved or denied by a simple majority vote.  If the voters approve, the City of Granada will no longer act as the pass through entity and customers will be billed directly for their power from SECPA.  The exact date of the transfer, if voters approve,  is not known at this time. 

There is also the matter of determining a franchise fee for the City of Granada.  The revenue, based on a percentage of sales, would be used to help pay expenses and salaries of city employees and cover operational expenses.  Another public meeting to discuss the pros and cons of the sale will be held at 7pm on Wednesday, March 26 at the city complex.  Officials won’t be able to determine any type of franchise fee until after the election and customers voice their decision on the sale through their vote.   

New trustees will also be on the ballot, but there are an equal number of candidates as there are vacancies on the board.  Martin Jensen, Glenn Otto and Debra Choat will remain on the board, as will Andi Riddle.  New members include Shannon Venturi and Argie Thrall Jr.  Venturi had been a trustee several years earlier.  Outgoing members include Tom Grasmick and Jerene DeBono. 

In other action, Granada Trustees noted the community Easter Egg Hunt will begin at 2pm on April 13 and a date has not been set yet for Dr. Fell’s Vet Clinic at the Complex.  The annual park maintenance went to the Harmon family as they were low bidders.  Complex rental dates include:  March 13 for the FDC meeting; CDOT meeting on March 21 from 10am to Noon; Surprise Birthday Party all day on April 19; Dutch Oven Cookers at the Arena on June 8 and a June 28 all-day birthday party for Lucille Dawson.  The next town trustees meeting will be the newly scheduled public hearing on March 26 and the regular town meeting on April 9.

By Russ Baldwin