The Board of Lights and Water voted to move $1,044,539.26 received in advance from a data center customer into expense accounts so the utility can complete construction of a step‑up transformer and related work.

Eric, the staff presenter, said the customer “pays, in advance of any construction that we do, the cost the projected cost of that construction,” and that the funds are intended to finish the transformer work that will provide the second of three phases of power. Staff said that when construction is complete the site will have bridging power for construction and later operational power that could support up to 24 megawatts.

The chair called for a motion to approve the FY26 BOW capital budget amendment as recommended by staff; the motion passed by voice vote and was recorded as carried 5‑0. The board then voted to recommend the same amendment to the Marietta City Council so the city can amend its comprehensive budget accordingly.

The board emphasized this was an accounting action — moving the customer’s advance from a revenue to an expense account — and staff said the arrangement posed no financial risk because the customer had already paid the amount. Documentation for the budget amendment was available and staff indicated they would forward the required debit/credit paperwork to the city.

Next steps: the board transmitted a recommendation to the city council asking it to amend its budget to reflect the transaction; any final funding or accounting changes will require council action.