Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Michigan City Water Works Board approves purchase orders, financial report and phone system service agreement
Summary
The Michigan City Water Works Board on Jan. 27 approved seven purchase orders including a $54,500 Arcadis contract for a required risk and resiliency update, accepted the monthly claims and bad debt list, and approved a three‑year phone system support agreement; the board also heard a financial update and a rate-case filing update.
The Michigan City Water Works Board voted unanimously Jan. 27 to approve a package of operational expenditures, accept the monthly financial report and authorize a three‑year support agreement for the newly installed phone system.
During the meeting staff presented seven purchase orders that the board approved without opposition. Items included Westside Tractor parts for diaphragm pumps ($2,210.28); Midwest Meters ultrasonic meters ($8,754.24); a not‑to‑exceed $54,500 contract with Arcadis for the required risk‑and‑resiliency and emergency‑response plan update; Utility Supply repair clamps ($1,059.50); safety winter jackets; Nextiva phone sidecars ($780); and laboratory supplies from USA Blue Book ($2,806.13). "Those are the pumps we use when we get main breaks and stuff," a member of staff said while describing the parts list.
The board also moved, seconded and approved the list of claims dated Jan. 27, 2026, and approved the bad‑debt list "for bookkeeping purposes only." No board member recorded a negative vote on these items.
Chester Wolf presented the financial statement and highlighted key monthly figures: receipts of $687,379 and disbursements of $572,900 (excluding monthly transfers); inventory purchases of $64,817; capital expenditures of $38,361; and an ending balance of $144,839.05. Wolf said there were no bad‑debt recoveries for the month and that total operating revenues were above prior year and forecast while certain expense lines (distribution, contracted services and transportation) ran over forecast because of compressor maintenance, equipment rentals and phone system costs.
Under new business the board authorized acceptance of a three‑year support/service quote for the newly installed phone system from MTA Managed Information Technology Services (the system had been activated the previous day). Board members asked about the support term and what would happen after three years; staff said the company would provide updates and support during the contract term and replacement or upgrades would be considered when equipment ages.
An informational update under old business noted staff expect to file the utility's rate case this week, after a scheduled meeting to reconcile prepared testimony between financial staff and engineers prior to submission to the regulatory commission.
The meeting concluded after a brief public‑comment call with no additional speakers and a unanimous motion to adjourn.
