Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities Rate Study topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pratt County staff: Commerce to spotlight county, KCC to assist on utility rate study
Summary
County staff said the Kansas Department of Commerce will run a 'Love Kansas' social-media spotlight on Pratt County; staff also reported that Representative Hoffman met with the Kansas Corporation Commission and that an RFP for a utility rate study is nearly complete with responses due in about 15 days.
Heather, a county staff member, told the board the Pratt County "Love Kansas" campaign will be featured in a Kansas Department of Commerce social-media spotlight later this week, and asked commissioners to expect the county to be highlighted.
"The social media blitz ... talks about the population of the county and then that the median home price is about a hundred and $11,000," Heather said. The transcript lists a median-rent figure as "763,000," which appears inconsistent with typical local rent levels; the record shows Heather submitted photos and will provide any additional images the Department of Commerce requests for the campaign.
Heather updated the board on a separate, substantive item: Representative Hoffman recently met with the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC), and Heather said KCC staff are now more receptive to the county's position. "Theyare going to be more involved in some of the technical aspects of the project related to the request for proposals and the design," she said. Heather said that KCC involvement could reduce the administrative costs charged to small cities and make it more likely the project can be completed within the existing $4,000,000 allocation.
On procurement and schedule, Heather said the Municipal Utilities Association drafted an RFP for a rate study and the county planned to send the draft to the KCC for approval. She said the RFP "ideally" would go out this week, responses would be expected within about 15 days, a consultant would be contracted, and the rate study was expected to be finished by mid-January, allowing a construction RFP to proceed thereafter.
Heather also reported that state revenues were about 3.4% under estimate for the month and noted an upcoming consensus revenue estimate that will inform next year—s state budget and the amount of state funds that may flow to local governments.
Next steps: Heather will provide photos to the Department of Commerce for the publicity campaign, send the RFP to the KCC for review, and report back to the board as the procurement and study proceed. The board did not take formal action on the publicity item during the meeting.
