The Franklin City utility board unanimously approved two service contracts and heard an update that the Lovers Lane water tower and associated main are not yet in regular service.

The board authorized a four-year professional services contract with Hydro Corp LLC for cross-connection inspection services at a total fee of $122,643.08 over the contract term, with the approval carried "subject to" final review by utility staff, the city administrator and the city attorney. "We had two joints that got twisted, so we did take a sample today with hopefully getting a pressure test tomorrow," a utility manager said during the project update, adding that staff hoped to have the main in service by the end of the week and tentatively begin billing Jan. 7, with final site work (electrical, asphalt, landscaping) to be completed in spring.

The board also approved a three-year service agreement with Prima Data LLC to print and mail utility bills; staff said Prima Data will operate without a prior partner (Bayside) and that the new terms slightly reduced print and insert costs (printing roughly 11¢ per piece down from 14¢ and insert pages to 2¢ from 3¢). Staff estimated current annual printing/postage costs near $19,000 and described the renewal as producing a modest cost saving.

All measures recorded in the meeting packet were approved without recorded dissent; motions were seconded and the chair announced each motion passed unanimously.