General manager reviews 2025 operations, previews 2026 budget and projects

Tony, Richmond Empower Light's general manager, delivered a year-in-review Nov. 3 that highlighted staffing, training and capital projects completed or underway in 2025 and previewed the upcoming 2026 budget review.

Tony said the utility added three employees in 2025, noted five retirements that together represented 175 years of service, and described multiple training and cross-training initiatives across departments, including apprentice programs and certification courses. He said staff completed wellness events, CPR recertifications and defensive driving courses, and the finance office had a clean audit this year.

On infrastructure work, Tony reported progress on AMI meter installations (4,397 AMI meters installed in 2025 as of Oct. 16; total AMI inventory at 17,247 with about 4,000 remaining for 2026), the rebuilding of a 4 kV substation on Johnson Street, and an AutoCAD-to-GIS integration project intended to improve project design and inventory management. He also noted the Interstate 70 project required easements to relocate transmission lines and that those relocation costs are reimbursable by INDOT. Tony closed with reminders about Veterans Day closure and a special meeting to review the 2026 operating and capital budgets with box dinners provided prior to the session.

Board members asked clarifying questions about internships and street-light reporting; Tony explained how the utility documents outages and the usefulness of pole numbers for crews. The board scheduled the special budget review as noted by staff.