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Wymore Council adopts Ordinance 676 after debate over utility costs
Summary
The Wymore City Council on March 20 approved Ordinance 676, which officials said is needed to address rising costs in the city electric system after public questions about unpaid debt and service costs; the meeting also included several routine approvals and personnel actions.
The Wymore City Council voted March 20 to adopt Ordinance 676, a measure officials said is intended to help the city cover rising costs to operate its electric system.
City Attorney Andy Carothers conducted the ordinance’s third reading and answered public questions about the utility’s finances. Members of the public asked about the size of the electric system’s debt, whether that debt is being serviced and how much margin the system currently generates; officials said the city is performing a rate study and similar reviews for water and sewer to set rates that cover operational costs, equipment lead times and potential disaster reserves. After that discussion, a motion to approve Ordinance 676, moved by Council member Sue Sapp and seconded by Council member Max Allen, carried 4-0.
Why it matters: Council members and some residents said current rates were insufficient to meet growing costs for transformers, parts and upkeep; proponents of the ordinance argued a study-based rate adjustment is necessary to avoid further operating losses. The city described the action as fiscally defensive — intended to ensure the utility can pay for equipment and maintain service reliability.
Other council actions that evening included routine approvals and personnel moves. The council approved minutes, the treasurer’s report and claims and payroll; one check (No. 28085) was initially held out and then approved with one abstention noted. The council approved a request from Melissa Wach to serve alcohol at the community center for a private graduation party on May 10 from noon to 2 a.m., with no beer garden. The council approved increasing Chief Martinez’s compensation to $70,000 per year following the mayor’s reading of the compensation provision; that motion carried 4-0. A motion to approve the 2023 audit was made, but the transcript does not record the vote outcome. The council tabled approval of a new fire department member and instructed staff to advertise committee openings and to update the dog ordinance for Attorney Carothers’ review.
Council members and staff noted several property maintenance matters — including a downtown property awaiting a grant decision, a trailer on 7th Street for which a letter has been sent, and a sold house at 518 N. 11th for which the city attorney will check deed records and arrange an inspection — and requested follow-up if a structure is found to be more than 50% destroyed.
The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
