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Keville Utilities reviews May finances, grant awards, staffing and operations; audit still pending
Summary
At its June meeting, the Keville Utilities District board accepted May financial reports, heard that an audit remains incomplete, learned of a $3,000 workplace-safety grant, and discussed staffing, leak detection procurement, water-tank inspections, equipment purchases and potential meeting-location and overtime policy changes.
The Keville Utilities District Board of Trustees accepted the district's financial reports for the period ending May 2026 and reviewed a string of operational and staffing updates at its June meeting.
John, the district staff member presenting the financial update, said, "I think everything is trending" and reported that nothing was out of the ordinary. Board members questioned a 62% increase noted under purchased-power costs; John explained the rise is largely transmission and distribution-related and that seasonal solar credits typically reverse some of the off-season cost. When asked about engineering and contractual services showing 0% in the line items, John explained much engineering is capitalized to projects and noncapital consultant work is charged to a small contingency line.
John announced the district received a workplace-safety grant from the MMA of up to $3,000 to buy protective equipment and bollards around a new propane tank. He also said the district's annual audit remains incomplete but is "getting closer every month"; the district has requested an extension from the Public Utility Commission, which requires an early revenue number to calculate its fee.
On staffing, John said employee Larry has given notice and is moving out of the area; the district has begun recruiting and had about seven applicants. The district hired two summer helpers—Ty Hunter, who started, and Braden Caldwell, who will start soon. The board discussed changing crew schedules to four 10-hour days in summer and asked staff to draft policy language; John noted any change would require an amendment to the personnel handbook.
Operations updates included the start of Solderberg construction, hiring of a local project manager (Andy Till) for the Geargo project, a decision to put leak-detection work out to bid with drinking-water program coverage, and a water-tank inspection that John reported was "spotless" and in "fabulous shape" despite being two years overdue. The board also discussed whether paving where a homeowner's lateral connects to the main is the homeowner's responsibility; John said it is.
A newly purchased backhoe arrived and was reported "in excellent shape," and board members talked through whether to pursue a wheeled excavator versus the purchased backhoe and the option of borrowing equipment in emergencies. Members also discussed potentially moving regular meetings to the district office, the feasibility of recording or posting meetings (audio or video), and confirmed the next meeting for Wednesday, July 8.
The meeting closed after members moved to adjourn. Staff will return with a finalized audit when available, a proposed overtime/personnel policy if the board wishes to pursue one, and further updates on procurement and SRF-related match.
