During the Lima City Council's regular meeting on September 22, 2025, significant discussions centered around the operations and management of the city's utilities department. The meeting highlighted the department's extensive structure, budget, and recent personnel changes, providing insight into its critical role in the community.

The utilities department, which employs over 90 staff members and operates with a budget of $40 million, is divided into six key divisions: water plant, wastewater plant, customer service, field services, data systems, and administration. This organizational structure is essential for managing the city's water and wastewater services effectively. The water plant averages an output of 13.7 million gallons of treated drinking water daily, while the wastewater plant processes an average of 14.7 million gallons, which includes rain runoff.

A notable point raised during the meeting was the recent resignation of Ron Andreas, the head of the utilities department. The council is currently in the process of searching for a new manager, who will be introduced to the council once appointed. This transition is crucial as the department continues to manage its responsibilities, including a consent decree related to wastewater management, which will be discussed in detail at a future meeting.

Council members expressed their appreciation for the hard work and leadership within the utilities department. They acknowledged the efforts of the staff in maintaining essential services, such as water and refuse collection, which collectively generated significant revenue—over $45 million from water and sewer services alone.

The meeting underscored the importance of the utilities department in ensuring the city's infrastructure remains robust and responsive to community needs. As the council looks forward to the appointment of a new manager, the ongoing commitment to transparency and service excellence remains a priority for Lima's leadership.