Baldwin City Council approves 10% electric rate increase, new recreation agreements and long-term water contract

Baldwin City Council on Jan. 2025 moved to shore up utility reserves and to finalize several city contracts and appointments.

The council voted to adopt an ordinance implementing a 10% increase in electric rates effective Jan. 1 after hearing pro formas and finance analysis that showed rising purchase‑power and operating costs had reduced utility reserves. Councilmember Scott moved the ordinance, saying he would "support a 10% ordinance that raised at 10% January 1," and the motion passed on a 5–0 voice vote. Council also scheduled a focused workshop for Feb. 11 to revisit reserve-policy details and any summer rate adjustments.

On recreation and facilities, the council approved the Baldwin City Pool management and operation agreement as amended after staff clarified inclement-weather and closing authority. Recreation presenter Matt reported the pool served about 12,234 paid visits in 2024, generated roughly $138,372 in pool revenues against $143,003.14 in expenditures (about $5,000 short), and listed 2024 upgrades paid partly by Baldwin City Recreation (about $18,000 for guard stands, lane ropes and a basketball goal). Matt said a major renovation with Jackson Pools will strip the PebbleTek finish and install tile, with the target to refill and open by Memorial Day weekend 2025.

The council also approved a revised management and operation agreement for the Baldwin City Community Center, noting the city’s $30,000 contribution covers part‑time wages and supervisory time and that rental rates and any fees will be set with city approval to preserve broad public access.

After an executive session on real property, council members approved a land purchase agreement included in the packet for infrastructure needs.

Council approved a 30‑year water purchase contract to sell water to Edgerton; the contract sets Edgerton’s rate at the city rate plus actual cost plus 8%, includes no monthly minimum and a minimum movement of 3,600,000 gallons to keep lines flushed. Staff said annual transfer costs are included in the rate calculation.

Other business: council accepted updates to the city fee schedule (including a 15% adjustment on specified utility fees and updated fingerprint fees), reauthorized three local banks as city depositories for 2025, and sent a contract-driven trash/recycling rate adjustment (notice from the hauler tied to inflation indexes) to Budget & Finance for further review. Several routine appointments — including treasurer Glenn Rodden and other officers — were confirmed earlier in the meeting.

The council closed the evening with committee reports and set a work session on utility rates and the power purchase agreement for Feb. 11.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to adopt electric rate ordinance (10% increase effective Jan. 1): passed 5–0. - Baldwin City Pool management & operation agreement (as amended): approved (voice vote). - Baldwin City Community Center management & operation agreement (as amended): approved (voice vote). - Land purchase agreement (real property acquisition): approved (voice vote). - Edgerton 30‑year water purchase agreement: approved (voice vote). - Fee schedule updates: approved (voice vote). - City depositories (Mid America Bank; Baldwin State Bank; Kansas State Bank): approved (voice vote).

Next steps

Council scheduled a focused workshop Feb. 11 on utility reserves and the power purchase agreement and asked staff to return with cost details on rental event call-outs and trash-removal expenses for Sullivan Square rentals.