Ripley Power Board ratifies prior purchases, approves $70,000 arc‑flash study

The Ripley Power Board on an evening vote ratified several previously executed purchases, including a $1,663,000 transformer paid for by Silicon Ranch, and separately approved a $70,000 arc‑flash hazard assessment from Fisher Arnold.

Superintendent Mr. Almond gave the departmental report that preceded the motions, saying the board had changed actuarial firms and the new calculation sets the annual actuarial cost at about $422,000 a year for at least the next 10 years to cover the utility’s obligations. “The original guy retired. ... he recalculated. So it'll be 422,000 a year for at least the next 10 years,” Mr. Almond said.

The superintendent described work to upgrade the East Industrial Park substation to accept an ordered power transformer that has been delayed by parts availability. He also described a Pennsylvania transformer valued at $1,663,000 that was provided by Silicon Ranch: “That is a Silicon Ranch transformer. It's paid for by Silicon Ranch,” Mr. Almond said, adding Silicon Ranch provided about $4.5 million to build the infrastructure it needed and dedicated part of that money for operation and maintenance for 30 years.

Nut graf: Why this matters

The actions put on the record cover multi‑hundred‑thousand‑ and million‑dollar equipment purchases and a workplace safety study that the superintendent described as required; they also record outside funding from Silicon Ranch and recurring revenue sources that affect the utility’s finances and operations.

Body (details and outcomes)

Actuarial evaluation: The superintendent said the utility moved to a different actuarial firm, producing a new annual cost estimate of roughly $422,000 and covering about 47 employees (the superintendent said he believed the number of employees covered was 47). The board did not seek additional detail in the meeting on the actuarial assumptions.

Transformer purchases and Silicon Ranch funding: Board members discussed a delayed transformer for the East Industrial Park substation and confirmed the Pennsylvania transformer purchase price of $1,663,000. Mr. Almond said the Silicon Ranch payment covers that transformer and earlier contributions of about $4.5 million intended to fund build‑out and part of long‑term operation and maintenance for 30 years.

Fiber leasing and fire costs: Mr. Almond reported recurring fiber lease revenue and fire‑related spending. He said the utility receives about $246,700 a year from leasing fiber (described in the meeting as “about 246,7 thousand a year”) and reported fire‑related expenditures of roughly $717,000 to date. The superintendent compared monthly receipts listed in a report (10,867) to a corrected figure he gave (“11,400”), noting the utility was ahead of prior expectations.

Arc‑flash hazard assessment: The board considered a proposal from Fisher Arnold to perform a system‑wide arc‑flash hazard assessment. Mr. Almond described the study as safety‑critical and not discretionary: “It's part of arc flash hazard assessment. It's not optional. It's required,” he said, and recommended approval to inform linemen and contractors of fault‑current and burn hazards at locations across the system. The superintendent indicated the assessment work typically takes many months (he estimated completion if started in January might run into October–December).

Board motions and votes: The board first moved to ratify the superintendent’s prior purchases and actions (as described in materials handed out that evening) with the Fisher Arnold item excepted. Miss Thompson moved to ratify those items and Miss Austin seconded. The board then voted; board members recorded on the roll call as voting in favor included Miss Austin, Mr. Chipman, Alderman Bradford, Alderman Keeling, Alderman Thompson and Mayor Smith Chilton.

Separately, the board moved to approve the Fisher Arnold arc‑flash study. Miss Austin moved to approve and Mr. Thompson seconded; the board approved the Fisher Arnold contract after roll call.

What the board said and next steps

Mr. Almond said he expects to convene the relevant groups that had previously acted to ensure ratification and to avoid any gaps in liability coverage if prior expenditures had been made without a subsequent formal ratification. The board then adjourned the Ripley Power Board meeting and proceeded to a scheduled public hearing.

Ending

The board’s actions formalized previously executed procurements and approved the arc‑flash assessment. The superintendent will follow up with the group he described to ensure prior actions are documented and to move the Fisher Arnold study toward procurement and completion timelines.